Andrew Lester, an 86-year-old man from Kansas City, Missouri, has passed away shortly after pleading guilty to second-degree assault in relation to the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honour student. Yarl had mistakenly rung Lester’s doorbell when he intended to pick up his siblings. Initially charged with first-degree assault, Lester’s plea deal reduced his potential prison time to a maximum of seven years, with sentencing set for March 7.
Reportedly in poor health, authorities have not disclosed the cause of his death, nor are they conducting a death investigation. Yarl, who survived the shooting with significant emotional effects, stated in a recent family release that they had pushed for a prompt trial to see justice served.
Lester’s attorney argued that the elderly man acted out of fear upon encountering Yarl at his doorstep. In a shocking incident, he shot Yarl twice—first in the head and then in the arm. Although the bullet didn’t penetrate Yarl’s brain, the impact was severe, and he was hospitalised but later released. Yarl’s family is pursuing legal action against Lester, who, according to recent comments, had been struggling with various health issues exacerbated by media scrutiny and threats following the incident.