# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/161 "2023-04-24T12:52:40Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > But in 1995… What’s ironic to me is that crime rates were much, much higher back in 1995. Like, two or three times higher. If there’s any sort of “crime wave” right now, it’s because rates are back to the 20-teens or something, still amazingly low compared to the decades leading up to today. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/162 "2023-04-25T04:54:44Z")
I might take it, just so someone else won’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/163 "2024-01-21T01:44:19Z")
This thread popped up at the bottom of my screen. Recently, he auditioned for Missouri’s all-state high school band, and passed. Congrats, Ralph! > **[Ralph Yarl, Black Missouri teen shot in head by white man after ringing wrong...](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ralph-yarl-teen-shot-head-ringing-wrong-doorbell-earns-spot-state-band-rcna133180)** > > Yarl, then 16, was shot last year when he mistakenly rang the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his brothers, authorities said. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/164 "2024-01-21T01:46:22Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I saw her new jazzy red car and jumped in the passenger side door. Don’t we have a thread where someone did that and got shot in the face because the driver thought they were being carjacked? ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/165 "2024-01-21T06:17:44Z")
We might have, but as I mentioned, I live in Australia where the chances of that happening are pretty negligible really. First, no guns, second, I’m 63 and female, not exactly the stereotype of your average carjacker. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/166 "2024-03-01T22:07:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Similar tragedy. I can’t imagine why anyone would shoot at a car in their driveway. Update: Full Title: **“New York man who killed a woman after a wrong turn in his driveway gets 25 years to life”** > **[New York man who killed a woman after a wrong turn in his driveway gets 25...](https://apnews.com/article/wrong-driveway-shooting-new-york-gillis-monahan-cdca1723c6ba7afb89102a1e1aaa3fe0)** > > A New York man was sentenced to the maximum 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a woman after the SUV she was riding in mistakenly drove into his driveway. > “You murdered Kaylin Gillis. You shot at a car full of people and you didn’t care what would happen and you repeatedly lied about it. You deserve to spend the maximum time in prison allowable under the law,” the judge said. > > Prosecutors had asked for the maximum. The defense asked for leniency. Monahan declined an opportunity to speak. And then he was led away, to applause and a shout of “coward” from the gallery. Good riddance to that guy. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/167 "2024-03-01T22:17:55Z")
Oh, yeh. I read the CNN online story, which went into plenty of detail, including a lot of what the judge had to say. He really reamed the guy, and rightfully so. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/168 "2024-03-02T00:04:55Z")
Sometimes our justice system works correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/169 "2024-03-02T00:44:08Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I read the CNN online story, which went into plenty of detail, including a lot of what the judge had to say. From that article; > [@](#): > > “I think you really could possibly do the same thing again,” Washington County Judge Adam Michelini told Kevin Monahan before imposing his sentence for second-degree murder. “It’s obvious to me that you feel justified. You don’t take any responsibility for the outcome of your actions. You just don’t get it.” > > The first thing you do on the witness stand when you come up here and testify is you made a joke to the jury about them finally being able to see your face,” Michelini told the defendant. > > “You senselessly took the life of Kaylin Gillis and you have the gall to sit here and talk about how you plan to finish up the work on your house and race motocross in the future. You don’t deserve that. What would make you think that you deserve those things?” > > In killing Gillis, the judge said, Monahan “took away a friend, you took away a girlfriend, you took away a daughter, a granddaughter and a sibling. You took away so much unrealized potential, her potential to enrich other people’s lives and to contribute to our society.” > > Michelini added, “Any remorse you have isn’t for the harm you’ve caused. The only regret you have is that you’re finally facing the consequences for your actions. You murdered Kaylin Gillis. You shot at a car full of people and you didn’t care what would happen and you repeatedly lied about it. You deserve to spend the maximum time in prison allowable under our law, and I don’t make this decision because it’s easy. I make it because it’s what’s deserved. I make it because it’s what’s just.” I’d say that counts as getting the book thrown at him. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/170 "2024-03-02T00:48:53Z")
Only a complete piece of shit takes unprovoked potshots at a car just because they happened to enter your driveway. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/171 "2024-03-02T17:14:30Z")
Never mind ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/172 "2025-02-14T22:49:29Z")
> Andrew Lester was scheduled to stand trial next week on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then-16-year-old, who survived and is now a freshman at Texas A&M, where he is a member of ROTC and the school’s marching band. > > As part of a plea deal, Lester pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, a charge that Judge David Chamberlain said **carries up to seven years behind bars.** Lester, who will be sentenced on March 7, was hunched over as he was wheeled into the courtroom, his hands folded. > **[Homeowner pleads guilty to shooting Black teen Ralph Yarl who rang the wrong...](https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-andrew-lester-missouri-c3ad936efab5feecc86f7928f730ec35)** > > An 86-year-old Kansas City man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student who rang the man’s doorbell by mistake. At 86 years old he could end up dying in prison. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/173 "2025-02-14T23:06:11Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Missouri has a “stand your ground” doctrine which apparently extends to front doors. > > This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. “Stand your ground” laws have a consistent [pattern](https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/florida-stand-your-ground-law-yields-some-shocking-outcomes-depending-on/1233133/) that amount to “it’s OK to shoot black people, including in the back while they walk away”. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/174 "2025-02-15T00:11:16Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > > Andrew Lester was scheduled to stand trial next week on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then-16-year-old, who survived and is now a freshman at Texas A&M, where he is a member of ROTC and the school’s marching band. > > > > As part of a plea deal, Lester pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, a charge that Judge David Chamberlain said **carries up to seven years behind bars.** Lester, who will be sentenced on March 7, was hunched over as he was wheeled into the courtroom, his hands folded. > > [Homeowner pleads guilty to shooting Black teen Ralph Yarl who rang the wrong doorbell](https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-andrew-lester-missouri-c3ad936efab5feecc86f7928f730ec35) > > At 86 years old he could end up dying in prison. Here’s hoping he becomes the oldest living person. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/175 "2025-02-16T01:07:43Z")
He deserves it. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/176 "2025-02-19T22:03:59Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > At 86 years old he could end up dying in prison. > [@running\_coach](#): > > Here’s hoping he becomes the oldest living person. Neither of these will happen. Andrew Lester died today. [Ralph Yarl shooter Andrew Lester dies days after entering guilty plea](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ralph-yarl-shooter-andrew-lester-dies-days-entering-plea-deal-rcna192889) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/177 "2025-02-20T01:45:17Z")
OP here. I’d say this thread came to a satisfying conclusion. I’m glad he was convicted and uh… that he didn’t suffer long. Justice for Ralph. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803/178 "2025-02-20T03:11:21Z")
He wasn’t in custody at the time of his death: I am wondering if he committed suicide? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shooting-of-ralph-yarl-in-kansas-city-he-knocked-on-the-wrong-door/982803.md?page=8)