Black teen 'miraculously' recovers after being shot by white pensioner

Ralph Jarl was shot twice by Andrew Lester, 84, after he knocked on his front door by mistake. Photo: LEE MERRITT

A black teen who was shot in the head by a white pensioner after knocking on the door of the wrong house returned home from the hospital with a «miraculous» recovery, his family said.

Ralph Jarl, 16, was shot twice by 84-year-old Andrew Lester after he mistakenly knocked on his door as he was about to pick up his younger brothers in Kansas City, Missouri, shortly before 22 :00 13 April.

Ralph has returned home from the hospital and is «able to move around and communicate,» according to an update from his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, on a GoFundMe page she set up on her nephew's behalf.

Ms. Spoonmore said: “Ralph is currently at home with his family. He can walk and communicate. A real miracle considering that he survived.”

She added: “Every day is different. He has a long road ahead of him. However, we are very grateful to him that he is still here with us. I took the time to read the emails and comments to Ralph. It warms our hearts when we see how he smiles at all kind words.

Mr Lester pleaded not guilty to felony charges on Wednesday during his first court appearance in the case.

He will face a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty of first-degree assault as charged. He was also charged with an armed crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

He pleaded not guilty to both counts during a brief arraignment in a Clay County courtroom, online court records showed. Lester pleaded not guilty to felony charges. Photo: Clay County, Missouri Sheriff/via REUTERS.

More than $3.2 million (£2.5 million) was raised for the high school student, including celebrities such as American actresses Christina Ricci and Julianne Hough. donors.

Lee Merritt, the family's attorney, told CNN Tuesday night: «On Thursday night, doctors were scraping bullet fragments from his brain. He was discharged from the hospital on Saturday.»

He said the teenager's prognosis was «very, very positive», adding: «He has a full recovery minus scarring and long term maybe.» , CTE and symptoms of post-traumatic brain injury».

U.S. President Joe Biden tweeted Tuesday that he was on the phone with Ralph and his family. He wrote: «Ralph, see you at the Oval as soon as you feel better.»

The police spoke to Ralph while he was in the hospital, where he told the police that he rang the doorbell and waited until the end the man eventually opened the door and, according to the indictment, immediately shot him in the head.

Ralph fell and was still on the ground when the man shot him a second time, this time in the arm, he told the officers. He got up and ran to avoid being shot again, and heard the man say, «Don't come here.»