17-Year-Old Shooting Victim Ralph Yarl Makes First Public Appearance At Brain Injury Fundraiser

Things seem to be looking up for Ralph Yarl since he made national headlines in April after being shot in the head.

Yarl, the 17-year-old Black boy who was shot for mistakenly ringing the wrong doorbell, appears to be recovering well, as he made his first public appearance at the Going the Distance for Brain Injury annual run in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Star reports.

Yarl stood strong with fellow brain injury survivors and was supported by his family and friends. The 1,000-plus other participants, racing through Loose Park with neon green T-shirts, had registered as members of “Team Ralph.”

Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said it was important for her nephew to see he isn’t alone.

“This is not something that anyone planned for; however, it is one of those things where there’s a whole community of people that go through this, live life with this,” Spoonmore said.

“We want him to see there are people still living good lives even after this. That’s the part we’re most grateful for. There’s still hope.”

The race, now in its 36th year, raises money for the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City, an organization that provides the public with brain injury advocacy, education, and resources. Many supporters wanted to talk to Yarl about his experience, but his family did its best to keep conversations light. Robin Abramowitz, executive director of the association, said that Yarl’s appearance also served to bring awareness and “attention to the fact that brain injury can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone.”

The Staley High School student found himself a victim of gun violence when Andrew Lester, 84, shot him because he rang his doorbell, looking to pick up his brother. Lester was arrested and charged with two felonies — assault in the first degree and armed criminal action — after protests erupted in Missouri and across the country.