Thousands are supporting Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black boy who was shot by an elderly white man in Kansas City, Missouri on April 13.
Celebrities like Julianne Hough and Christina Ricci have joined the cause, helping to raise over $2 million for Ralph’s recovery.
The boy was on his way to pick up his younger brothers from a friend's house on 115th Terrace when he accidentally arrived at a house on 115th Street, according to Kansas City Police.
Upon knocking on the door, the homeowner—an unidentified white man in his 80s—shot Ralph twice, reportedly in the head and arm.
A GoFundMe campaign, organized by his aunt Faith Spoonmore, has amassed nearly $2 million from over 35,000 donors for Yarl, who was in "critical condition" but "is alive and recovering," according to a statement by civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Ralph was released from the hospital on Monday. Ben, representing Ralph and his family, said: "There can be no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect after admitting to shooting an unarmed, non-threatening, and defenseless teenager that rang his doorbell."
The shooter was taken into custody by police on April 13 but was released less than two hours later. His identity has not been publicly disclosed as he has not been charged at this time, CNN reports.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a Sunday press conference that there is no current evidence that the shooting was racially motivated, but acknowledged the racial components of the case.
Over the weekend, hundreds protested across Kansas City, with many drawing connections between Yarl's assault and the systemic violence disproportionately affecting Black people in the U.S.
Faith describes her nephew in the GoFundMe campaign as "a fantastic kid" heavily involved in his high school's extracurriculars and academic life, including being a section leader in the marching band and a 2022 Missouri Scholars Academy alumnus.
Ralph was looking forward to visiting West Africa before starting college.
"Life looks a lot different right now.
Faith wrote: “Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally. The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle."
Donations from the GoFundMe will be used for Yarl's medical bills, therapy, college expenses, and his trip to West Africa.
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