Andrew Lester, the Kansas City man who pleaded guilty to second-degree felony assault in connection with Ralph Yarl’s shooting, died while awaiting sentencing, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson announced on Wednesday.
“We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time,” Mr. Thompson stated.
“While the legal proceedings have concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case. Our thoughts are with both families affected by this tragic incident as they work through their healing process.”
Lester, 86, was scheduled to stand trial this week for shooting Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly knocked on his door, but on Friday, he pleaded guilty to felony assault in the second degree.
He was scheduled to be sentenced in this case on March 7.
Second-degree assault, a Class D felony, carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, Thompson stated at a press conference following Friday’s hearing.
Lester was initially charged with one count of first-degree felony assault and one count of armed criminal action, both of which are felonies, for shooting Yarl, who mistakenly went to Lester’s Kansas City home after arriving at the wrong address to pick up his twin brothers from a play date on April 13, 2023.
Lester, who is white, shot Yarl in the head and right arm, claiming he thought someone was attempting to break into his home, according to a probable cause statement obtained by ABC News. He initially pleaded not guilty in 2023 and was released on a $200,000 bond.
Yarl was 16 years old when the shooting occurred, and his family claims he suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Yarl’s family told ABC News in a statement on Wednesday that “justice was never truly served.”
“The news of Andrew Lester’s passing brings a mix of emotions, but it does not bring justice,” his family stated.
“We remain dedicated to creating a world in which no child fears for their life because of their race, and no family has to go through what we have. Ralph’s story is far from over, and neither is our fight for justice,” the family said.
Yarl’s family previously told ABC News Live Prime’s Linsey Davis on Friday that they were unhappy with Lester’s plea deal.
“About two years ago, we knew Mr. Lester was guilty,” Yarl’s mother Cleo Nagbe told Davis on Friday. “We let him do what he wanted and then waited two years for him to come in and say, ‘I am going to plead guilty to the lesser of the charges.'” So we are sick of it. So let us just move on and give this kid a chance to live his life normally.”
Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, previously argued that his client’s mental and physical capacity played a role in the case, pushing the initial trial date from Oct. 7, 2024 to Feb. 18, 2025. Salmon stated that the retired air mechanic had heart and memory issues, a broken hip, and had lost more than 50 pounds.
Following a review of the results of a mental examination, the judge ruled in November that Lester was fit for trial.
Yarl discussed the shooting in an exclusive interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts in July 2023, reflecting on his recovery and the traumatic experience.
“He pointed the gun at me… So I kind of brace and turn my head,” Yarl told Roberts. Then it happened. And then I am on the ground… and then I fall onto the glass. The glass shattered. And before I know it, I am running away, screaming, ‘Help me, help me.'”
