# The Shooting of Ralph Yarl in Kansas City (he knocked on the wrong door) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 17, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803 "2023-04-17T16:00:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/41 "2023-04-18T22:06:06Z")
The court case for this has been uploaded in the meantime. [https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/nameSearchResult.do?courtType=SW&countyCode=&newSearch=Y&essn=&courtCode=SW&lastName=lester&\_inclAlias=on&firstName=andrew&middleName=d&caseType=All&yearFiled=](https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/nameSearchResult.do?courtType=SW&countyCode=&newSearch=Y&essn=&courtCode=SW&lastName=lester&_inclAlias=on&firstName=andrew&middleName=d&caseType=All&yearFiled=) ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/42 "2023-04-18T22:25:12Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > My grandmother, at the end of her life, used to put a chair under the door at night, because she was scared of break-ins. She also used to watch that show COPS all the time. I can only imagine the level of paranoia that infects a brain that is watching right wing news shows all day long. Eh, sometimes it is just age - not in Ralph Yarl’s case necessarily or your mother’s. But sometimes. My very left-wing white mother who had been married to a black man (my step-father) and didn’t really watch TV other than movies, towards the end of her life became very paranoid and frightened of what she perceived as generically threatening people. She was often terrified at imagined (as far as I can tell) hints that someone might break into her place and hurt her. She never owned a gun, was pretty petite and abhorred violence, so she was absolutely no threat to anyone. But mental decline (severe undiagnosed hypertension probably didn’t help here) and recognition of her own increasing fragility fed her fears. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/43 "2023-04-19T00:16:33Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Perpetuated over and over 24/7 by those over at Fox News. My brother and I had to talk our 80 something mother off a ledge every week to reassure her that the sky wasn’t falling, “they” aren’t coming to get you, and that it was safe to leave the house. > Since she’s not tech savvy we were able to cut her cable subscription and get her back to local channels only. She’s been much happier and less paranoid ever since. This exactly matches the story in this documentary I saw a few years back: > **[The Brainwashing of My Dad](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brainwashing_of_My_Dad)** > > The Brainwashing of My Dad is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Jen Senko about her father's transformation from a nonpolitical Democrat into a political Republican. The film was mostly funded by a Kickstarter campaign. > As Jen Senko tries to understand the transformation of her father from a nonpolitical Democrat to an angry Republican fanatic, she uncovers the forces behind the media that changed him completely: a plan by Roger Ailes under President Richard Nixon for a media takeov... ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/44 "2023-04-19T02:23:10Z")
Just this weekend I was talking to a friend who lived in Kansas City for many years. He said that the most prominent emotion people there have is fear. Fear of their neighbors, fear of other races, fear of people parking in front of their house, etc. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/45 "2023-04-19T04:25:22Z")
Jordan Klepper goes to a gun show in Oklahoma. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJkxCpSKMY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJkxCpSKMY) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/46 "2023-04-19T15:20:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Similar tragedy. I can’t imagine why anyone would shoot at a car in their driveway. > > The level of fear and paranoia is off the charts. And another one. [https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/us/texas-cheerleaders-woodlands-elite-shooting/index.html?utm\_term=link&utm\_content=2023-04-19T12%3A15%3A04&utm\_source=twCNN&utm\_medium=social](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/19/us/texas-cheerleaders-woodlands-elite-shooting/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2023-04-19T12%3A15%3A04&utm_source=twCNN&utm_medium=social) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/47 "2023-04-19T17:31:05Z")
WTF is going on? That’s three completely bonkers shootings in a couple days. The US needs serious gun control as gun owners obviously cannot be trusted with them. Good guys with guns are going going nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/48 "2023-04-19T17:45:28Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > WTF is going on? That’s three completely bonkers shootings in a couple days. I’d hold off judgement on the cheerleader one. Carjacking by teens [is very real](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsx-ytapJjM) and the difference with that one is there was actual breaking and entering whereas with the other two, there was no imminent danger at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/49 "2023-04-19T18:08:35Z")
According to witnesses, she opened the door, saw him, apologized, and it seems she made no further attempt to get in. He physically got out of the car and shot two girls who were in no way threatening him. A responsible, sane person would not shoot in that situation. Point the gun to scare them off if he legit felt threatened? Perhaps. But fucking shoot them? Come on. This is why we need to better regulate gun ownership. To keep reckless pieces of shit from fantasizing about living in the old west with real fucking guns. This guy who shot these girls is as much of a cancer on our nation as the guys in KC and NY. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/50 "2023-04-19T18:10:58Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > According to witnesses, she opened the door, saw him, apologized, and it seems she made no further attempt to get in. He physically got out of the car and shot two girls who were in no way threatening him. That’s why I said I’d hold off. The article I read said the girls said that with no independent witnesses. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/51 "2023-04-19T18:23:17Z")
Hold off on having an opinion about a man who shot two teenage girls? No thanks, I’ll have my opinions. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/52 "2023-04-19T18:36:52Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > That’s why I said I’d hold off. The article I read said the girls said that with no independent witnesses. - They were shot in _their_ car. How can you do a carjacking from your own car? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/53 "2023-04-19T18:38:51Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They were shot in _their_ car. How can you do a carjacking from your own car? That’s not how I’m reading it – it looks like one of the victims mistakenly opened the door to the alleged shooter’s car, thinking it was hers. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/54 "2023-04-19T18:41:35Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > They were shot in _their_ car. How can you do a carjacking from your own car? > > That’s not how I’m reading it – it looks like one of the victims mistakenly opened the door to the alleged shooter’s car, thinking it was hers. - From what I read, she then returned to her car, he got out to confront them, they rolled down the window to apologize and he riddled them. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/55 "2023-04-19T18:43:31Z")
Yes, the news I am reading is they were in their own car when they were both shot. They were not in his car when he shot them both. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/56 "2023-04-19T18:45:36Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > From what I read, she then returned to her car, he got out to confront them, they rolled down the window to apologize and he riddled them. Gotcha, I understand what you’re saying now, and I see the apparent series of events described in this WaPo article: > [@](#): > > When Roth got into a car she thought was a friend’s, she realized that a man was in the passenger seat and quickly got out, she said. After Roth got into her friend’s car, she said, she saw Rodriguez approach and rolled down her window to apologize. > > But what unfolded would echo what happened last week to [Ralph Yarl](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/17/ralph-yarl-shooting-kansas-city/?itid=lk_inline_manual_12) in Kansas City, Mo., and [Kaylin Gillis](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/18/kaylin-gillis-shooting-ny/?itid=lk_inline_manual_12) in Upstate New York. > > “He pulled out a gun, and then he just started shooting at all of us,” Roth said, according to [KHOU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc5JShem7co), an CBS affiliate in Houston. She added, “Payton opens the door, and she starts throwing up blood.” > **[Cheerleaders leaving practice were shot after one got in wrong car, teen says](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/19/texas-shooting-cheerleaders-wrong-car/)** > > The Texas shooting is the third notable incident in less than a week in which someone was shot while approaching a person they apparently did not know. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/57 "2023-04-19T18:56:18Z")
Even if they were car jacking him (which, ffs, they weren’t), I’m of the notion that a car isn’t the same value as a human life. Let them have the car and let the police do their jobs. We should be better than parking lot justice. But now every dipshit with a gun thinks he’s the cop, judge, jury and executioner. Fuck the NRA. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/58 "2023-04-19T19:13:19Z")
Sometime in the last year, I was driving my daughter’s Jeep; as I left the convenience store with my purchases, I opened the door to get into the driver’s seat when I noticed the man in the passenger seat… thankfully, he didn’t shoot me, as I was attempting to get into the wrong green Jeep. I apologized, and went and found the right one. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I’d hold off judgement on the cheerleader one. Yeah, no thanks. Fuck that guy, and he’s lucky I’m not dictator. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/59 "2023-04-19T19:18:05Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > They were shot in _their_ car. How can you do a carjacking from your own car? Some people just have to give the guy with the gun every possible benefit of the doubt. Some need to assume that the people who were shot were lying, that they actually deserved it. Otherwise, they may need to reexamine some of their positions, and that’s not something likely to happen. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/60 "2023-04-19T19:21:18Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Some people just have to give the guy with the gun every possible benefit of the doubt. Some need to assume that the people who were shot were lying, that they actually deserved it. I may be mistaken, but I don’t think that that was what @running_coach was saying. I think he may have been saying “if the alleged shooter pursued the victims to their own car, and then shot them, he was no longer defending himself against what he had perceived to be a carjacking attempt.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803.md?page=4)