A white homeowner who days ago pleaded guilty to shooting black teenager Ralph Yarl in 2023 has passed away. 

Andrew Lester passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday. Prosecutors expressed their condolences to his family, recognizing the difficult time they are going through.

The prosecutors’ office noted that while legal proceedings had been completed, Mr. Lester had admitted guilt by pleading guilty.

‘Our thoughts remain with both families affected by this tragic incident as they continue their healing process.’ 

The retired aircraft mechanic was awaiting sentencing scheduled for March 7, 2025, with authorities seeking a five-year term for a shooting incident that occurred two years prior.

Yarl’s shooting sparked national outcry as it was revealed that the victim had mistakenly rung Lester’s doorbell in Kansas City, Missouri, prompting the homeowner to open fire. 

The 16-year-old was shot in the head and arm, and Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson said following Lester’s arrest there was ‘a racial component to the case.’ 

Facing charges of armed criminal action and first-degree assault, Lester’s trial was scheduled to begin in October, but a judge ordered a mental health evaluation and it was postponed. He then pleaded guilty in February before his trial begun.  

Andrew Lester, a white homeowner who pleaded guilty to shooting black teenager Ralph Yarl days ago, has passed away aged 86

Prosecutors said there was a racial motive for the shooting of talented bass clarinet player Ralph Yarl, who played multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra

Yarl survived the shooting but was hospitalized, and his case took on national importance as it came within a week of three other shootings of young people who made harmless mistakes. 

He was described as a ‘musical genius’ by his peers and his accolades included playing multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra, and being part of his high school’s Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team. 

The teen knocked on Lester’s front door as he went to pick up his younger twin brothers, who were a block away at a different property. 

He pulled into the driveway of the home around 10pm on April 13, 2023, rang the doorbell, and was immediately shot in the head. 

After he fell to the ground Yarl was then shot in the arm, and he told police that Lester barked at him: ‘Don’t come around here.’ 

Yarl picked himself up and went to Lester’s neighbors’ homes for help, but had to knock on three doors before one resident ordered him to lie on the floor with his hands above his head. 

‘He ran to three houses before one of the neighbors said, ‘Put your hands up and lay on the ground,” Yarl’s aunt Dr Faith Spoonmore said at the time. 

‘And then he lay on the ground, he passed out before the neighbor called the police for help,’ she claimed. 

‘You hear these stories about racism in America and you think wow, how sad is that?

‘But then you have this little bit of hope because you feel like it’s very far away and it would never happen to your family and you. But God, the people in this country are sick.’

As Yarl’s case garnered national attention, a GoFundMe raised more than $1.7million to help the victim and his family with medical bills

Ralph, center, was said to be trying to pick up his younger siblings from a friend’s house but went to the wrong address a block away 

Despite his brush with death, Yarl was released from hospital after only four days, in what family attorney Ben Crump said was a miracle.

Lester’s doorbell small ‘no solicitors’ sign on top, while another sign claimed the property was ‘protected by surveillance cameras’, and questions were raised after his arrest why he was not charged with attempted murder.  

Famous faces picked up the cause, with actresses Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson and Halle Berry calling for justice for Ralph. Hundreds of protesters also marched outside the home of the elderly shooter. 

More than $1.7 million was raised for Yarl and his family as they faced high medical bills following the incident. 

A talented teenager, Yarl had received a letter from Yale Undergraduate Admissions Board identifying him as a ‘good candidate’ for the prestigious university.

Ralph was part of his high school’s Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team, played in the marching, jazz, and competition band, and was one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri.

He was also recognized as a Missouri scholar academy alumnus in 2022.