A black teenager was shot in the head by a white landlord after accidentally going to the wrong house to pick up his twin brothers.
The Kansas City Star reported that the 16-year-old boy, known to family members online as Ralph Yarl, rang the doorbell and was immediately shot by the homeowner.
Yarl was supposed to pick up his brothers at a friend’s house at 115 Terrace and ended up ringing the bell at a house on 115th Street, the teen’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, wrote online.
The case garnered national attention, sparking outrage on the streets of Kansas City and online among celebrities and activists.
On Sunday, protesters rallied outside the home where Yarl was allegedly shot, demanding that the owner face hate crime charges, Kansas City channel KCUR 89.3 reported.
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Kansas City Police Commissioner Stacy Graves said at a news conference Sunday night that the homeowner was released after 24 hours in detention and that testimony from the victim is required before charges can be brought.
“The information that we have now, it does not say that it’s racially motivated, that’s still an active investigation,” Graves said.
“But as a chief of police, I do recognize the racial components of this case. I do recognize and understand the community’s concern.”
Graves said police are working “as quickly and accurately as possible.”
Police said Yarl was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to local media.
They didn’t say how many times he was shot.
“Ralph is alive,” Spoonmore told KCUR.
On the GoFundMe page, Yarl is described as a smart and kind boy who dreams of studying chemical engineering at university.
