Global Courant 2023-05-30 11:54:15
Ralph Yarl, the Kansas City teen who was shot in the head last month after accidentally ringing the wrong doorbell, made his first public appearance since Monday’s shooting.
Yarl, now 17, ran with family, friends and other brain injury survivors at Going the Distance for Brain Injury, an annual Memorial Day race held at Loose Park in Kansas City, Missouri. No less than 1,000 people took part in the event this year.
Yarl’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, spoke ahead of the race urging the community to end gun violence: “It takes a community. It takes a family. It takes a support group, all that.”
She added, “Let’s create more awareness to stop the things that cause brain injuries and shouldn’t cause them, especially gun violence.”
RALPH YARL SHOOTING: KANSAS CITY TEEN SEEN IN FIRST PHOTO SINCE HOSPITAL RELEASE
Ralph Yarl sits next to attorney Lee Merritt after his release from a hospital. (Lee Merritt/Twitter)
In April, Yarl was shot after trying to pick up his younger brothers from the wrong house, about a block from where they were. Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old homeowner, is accused of shooting Yarl.
“It’s important for Ralph to see that he’s not alone,” said Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore.
Many of the race participants wore neon green T-shirts and were registered to be part of “Team Ralph,” said Robin Abramowitz, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City.
Spoonmore revealed that Yarl still struggles with balance and suffers from debilitating migraines. He also has mood swings and is dealing with the trauma of the shooting, she said.
THE KANSAS CITY HOMEOWNER HAS A FUN AFTER RALPH YARL SHOOTING
Andrew Lester is accused of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl after the teenager rang his doorbell. (Clay County Sheriff’s Office)
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Lester was arrested in connection with the shooting but was released just two hours later.
The shooting sparked outrage across the country and sparked protests in the Kansas City area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
