On Monday morning, the family of Ralph Yarl filed a civil lawsuit against Andrew Lester and the homeowner’s association where Lester resides. The lawsuit claims that the shooting was a result of the “careless” and “negligent” behavior of the 85-year-old individual and the Highland Acres Homes Association.
As we previously reported, Yarl was shot after he had mistakenly approached Mr Lester’s home to pick up his younger twin brothers. After Ralph rang the doorbell, Andrew Lester shot him twice – once in the forehead and once in the arm. To note, absolutely no words were exchanged before the homeowner opened fire with a .32 revolver, according to prosecutors. Now the family claiming the home owner’s association for not prohibiting such an incident claiming they “should have been aware” of Lester’s “access to dangerous weapons and racial animus.”
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On Monday, Yarl’s family also released a statement. “Today, on behalf of my son Ralph Yarl, we stand before you to announce a significant step towards justice and accountability. The attorney, Lee Merritt, representing Ralph, has taken the necessary action by filing a civil case in Clay County Court. This incident not only shattered our family but also exposed a critical gap in our societal fabric, where the safety of our children is jeopardized by reckless actions. Through this civil suit, we aim to spark a dialogue on the importance of responsible gun ownership and community safety measures of using words, not weapons. It’s not just about seeking financial compensation; it’s about holding all parties involved accountable and ensuring that steps are taken to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.”
The statement continued, “Including the homeowner’s association (HOA) in this lawsuit underscores the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding our communities. Their knowledge of a potentially dangerous individual in the neighborhood without taking adequate precautions is unacceptable. This case is not just about seeking justice for Ralph but about advocating for systemic changes that prioritize the safety and well-being of all children.
We refuse to let Ralph’s suffering be in vain. His ordeal must serve as a wake-up call for our nation to prioritize child safety and enact meaningful reforms to protect our youth from gun violence. We hope this civil suit will ignite a nationwide movement toward creating safer environments for our children to thrive without fear.
Cleo Nagbe, Ralph Yarl’s Mother”
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As we previously reported, Lester pleaded not guilty to the charges last year. Yarl also did an interview with Good Morning America and detailed what took place on the night of April 13th. “I go into the driveway I walk up the steps and ring the doorbell and I see three different cameras with one looking at the driveway and looking on the porch. As far as I know I didn’t know their family at all. I never even see their friends or their parents before so maybe it was their house.” He said.
He went on to explain how things went when Andrew Lester opened the door. “I actually waited a long time. I’m just on the porch. So then I hear the door open and I see this old man so I’m assuming oh this must be like their grandpa and then he pulls out his gun and I’m like woah. So then I back up and he points it at me. So I kind of braced and turned my head. Before that I’m thinking there’s no way he’s actually going to shoot. The door isn’t even open he’s going to shoot through his glass and glass is going to get everywhere then it happened, and I’m on the ground.”
“I fall on the glass, the shattered glass”, and “then before I know it, I’m running away, shouting, ’Help me! Help me!’” Yarl was bleeding. He said he wondered how it was possible he had been shot in the head. The man he had never met before said only five words, he said: “Don’t come here ever again.”
