Ralph Yarl's family sues Andrew Lester, homeowners association in wake of teen's shooting

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The mother of Ralph Yarl on Monday filed a lawsuit on her son’s behalf against Andrew Lester and his homeowners association related to the shooting in April 2023 that left the teen severely injured.

Cleo Nagbe filed the civil lawsuit on her son’s behalf in Clay County Circuit Court against Lester and the Highland Acres Homes Association Inc., saying that they were careless and negligent in the shooting.

Lester faces felony first-degree assault and armed criminal action charges in the shooting. A motion hearing is set for May 6th, but Lester’s attorney has asked a judge that his client not be required to appear because “logistical considerations make it difficult” for him to make appearances.

On April 17 last year, Yarl, now 17, went to a home in the Northland to pick up his twin brothers. Yarl went to the wrong address by mistake and rang the doorbell of a home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street. Yarl had intended to go to a home one street over, on Northeast 115th Terrace.

Within seconds of seeing Yarl on his doorstep, Lester opened fire, shooting Yarl twice, according to court documents. Lester, then 84, called police and told them he feared for his safety when he answered the door and saw Yarl.

Lester has pleaded not guilty and a jury trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 7.

The case quickly spread nationwide, with celebrities and politicians, including President Joe Biden, weighing in. Many raised concerns about the shooting being racially motivated — Lester is white and Yarl is Black — and voiced outrage over gun violence and inequality in the criminal justice system.

For the first time since he was shot outside a Northland home in April, Ralph Yarl faced the man accused of severely injuring him. He appeared in court on August 31, 2023. Pool/Screengrab

Lester’s defense attorney, Steven B. Salmon, said that he has been made aware of the lawsuit and was evaluating it. Salmon said he would discuss it further with Lester.

Family contends defendants actions negligent, careless

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