Black teen is allegedly shot by homeowner after ringing wrong doorbell

Ralph (pictured) is part of his high school’s Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team, plays in the marching, jazz, and competition band, and is one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri. He had big dreams of attending college, after being recognized as a Missouri scholar academy alumni in 2022. His family has set up a GoFundMe page to handle medical expenses and have stated that he has ‘a long road ahead of him mentally and emotionally.’ The alleged gunman, who has not been identified, was taken into custody soon after the incident and to give a statement but was later ‘released pending further investigation.’ Police obtained the firearm that was used in the incident but have explained their delay on bringing charges against the homeowner because they are waiting for the teen to make his own statement as to what happened. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11977801/Scholar-shot-head-white-homeowner-rang-wrong-doorbell-picking-siblings.html?ito=msngallery

The release of the gunman did not sit well with civil rights attorney Lee Merritt who stated in tweet on Sunday morning, ‘Ralph is fighting for his life. ‘This man must be arrested. We are on our way.’ On Sunday afternoon, the Chief of the Kansas City Police Department, Stacey Graves (pictured), also justified the decision to release the alleged gunman. ‘The vast majority of cases to include violent crime involve the suspect being released pending further investigation,’ Chief Graves said. ‘In this case, the prosecutor requires more information from investigators that would take more than 24 hours to compile throughout the weekend. We want the community to know that we are committed to justice in this case and every case and work everyday to seek that justice for all victims of all crimes,’ Graves said while noting that she was ‘listening’ and understood the community’s ‘concern.’ Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11977801/Scholar-shot-head-white-homeowner-rang-wrong-doorbell-picking-siblings.html?ito=msngallery

Graves explained how detectives were working to compile forensic evidence and to take a formal statement from Ralph before deciding whether to bring charges. She assured the community that the police department was committed to justice in the case. Graves said the KCPD will forward the case to the Clay County prosecutor’s office to what determine charges, if any, be brought. Despite such assurances, hundreds of protesters turned up out outside the alleged gunman’s home on 115th Street on Sunday afternoon, demanding immediate justice. Ralph’s family described him as a fantastic child who dreamt of attending Texas A&M for chemical engineering. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11977801/Scholar-shot-head-white-homeowner-rang-wrong-doorbell-picking-siblings.html?ito=msngallery

‘He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance. This was not an ‘error.’ This is a hate crime,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘You don’t shoot a child in the head because he rang your doorbell.’ According to his family members, Ralph’s teacher and friends describe him as ‘ a kind soul,’ ‘quiet,’ ‘friendly,’ ‘well-mannered,’ ‘always willing to help,’ ‘super smart,’ and a ‘musical genius.’ Pictured: Protestors marched in the neighborhood where Thursday night’s shooting took place. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11977801/Scholar-shot-head-white-homeowner-rang-wrong-doorbell-picking-siblings.html?ito=msngallery

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