An 86-year-old man from Kansas City, Missouri, has pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in a case involving the shooting of a teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell. The plea occurred just days before a scheduled trial.

Andrew D. Lester was originally charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action following the April 2023 incident where Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old high school student, arrived at Lester’s home while trying to collect his younger siblings.

By pleading guilty to the lesser charge, Lester could face a sentence that ranges from a prison term of up to seven years to fines, or potentially both. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek a five-year prison sentence, although Lester may petition for a lighter sentence.

The shooting sparked significant community outrage, particularly due to the racial dynamics involved: Yarl is Black, while Lester is white. This incident ignited protests in Kansas City and drew national attention, including an invitation for Yarl to visit the White House from former President Joe Biden. Many local residents and officials expressed concerns that racial factors may have influenced the events, with the county prosecutor noting that there was an apparent “racial component” to the case.

Initially, Lester pleaded not guilty and was expected to argue self-defense during the upcoming trial. However, he did not dispute shooting Yarl during the plea hearing. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson emphasized the excessive nature of the response, stating, “Ralph made an innocent mistake, and the consequences — being shot twice — far exceeded any reasonable response.”

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