The teenager was shot after he mistakenly went to the wrong home address to pick up his siblings. 9News
when he mistakenly went to the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, home to pick up his younger brothers, said her son is crying "buckets of tears" as he comes to grips with what happened to him."Physically, mornings are hard, but his spirits are in a good place. I borrow from his spirits. He is in very good hands."Nagbe said the trauma remains evident.
The shooting happened about 10pm on Thursday. Police Chief Stacey Graves said that Ralph's parents asked him to pick up his twin brothers at a home on 115th Terrace.Ralph, an honour student and all-state band member, mistakenly went to 115th Street. When he rang the bell, Lester came to the door and shot Ralph in the forehead — then shot him again, in the right forearm.
Ralph ran to "multiple" homes asking for help before finding someone who would call the police, the statement said. Still, some — including lawyers for Ralph's family — pressed the racial dimension of the case. A protest rally was planned for Tuesday afternoon, and NAACP leaders planned a news conference at the rally site.
The assault charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Lester also was charged with armed criminal action, which has a penalty range of three to 15 years in prison. Lester was not charged with a hate crime. Thompson said first-degree assault is a higher-level felony with a more severe penalty.
McDonnell expects Lester's lawyers to cite self-defence under Missouri's "Stand Your Ground" law. She said the law allows for use of deadly force if a person is in fear for his or her life.