House Democrats speak on shooting of Ralph Yarl

MLBC Chair comments on shooting of Ralph Yarl

Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair Marlene Terry, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, released the following statement on the shooting of Ralph Yarl April 16, 2023:

“Once again, the state of Missouri has witnessed the shooting of an unarmed Black, male teenager, this time because he knocked on the wrong door while picking up his siblings. Instead of seeing Ralph Yarl as a person, the homeowner immediately saw him as a threat and responded by shooting an innocent child — a model student, responsible big brother, and son — in the head.

“Ultimately, this tragic incident underscores why ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ policies like so-called ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws do far more harm than good. These laws breed a society of violence and fear while providing cover for those who harm, maim and kill others.

“The Kansas City Police Department must work quickly to investigate this crime with full public transparency and bring the perpetrator to justice. We wish Mr. Yarl a speedy recovery, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Northland Dem Reps praise indictment in attack on Ralph Yarl

State Reps. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City; Jamie Johnson, D-Kansas City; Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City; and Eric Woods, D-Kansas City released the following joint statement April 17, 2023 on the felony charges filed by Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zach Thompson in relation to the attack on Ralph Yarl:

“By all accounts, Ralph Yarl is an outstanding young citizen: a terrific student, a talented musician, and a good friend, brother, and son. But regardless of who he is and what he’s accomplished in his young life, no one should have to suffer the gruesome and senseless act of violence Ralph did last Thursday.

“Far too many young Missourians must endure gun violence. In fact, guns are the number one cause of death in the state for children. Ralph almost became a part of a horrifying statistic.

“And while we may want to think that race did not play a factor, it is naive to assume that a white teenager in the same situation would face the same violence. This is a time when we must be willing to have hard conversations about racism in this country and, sadly, in our communities. We stand with the Black community and everyone crying out for justice.

“We commend Prosecuting Attorney Thompson, who expedited this investigation and filed charges at a proper level that show our county and its communities will not tolerate this violence. We also commend the Kansas City Police Department for their transparency and for the speed with which they conducted their investigation.

“But the work that must occur in our community goes far beyond the work of the prosecuting attorney and law enforcement. We need to thoughtfully examine the culture and policies in our state that perpetuate the shoot-first, ask-later mentality present in this incident. Violent crime, especially gun crime, is rising across the state and communities of color are often disproportionally impacted. The only way to permanently address this issue is to work together across political divides to find real solutions to big problems.

“So while we wait and hope that Ralph Yarl and his family receive the justice they deserve, we must also work towards a more just society so these tragedies do not occur again.”

Culture of fear led to shooting of Ralph Yarl

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, released the following statement April 17, 2023.:

“Missouri Republicans’ extreme gun laws have established a culture of fear. Fear that turns neighbors against each other and causes people to see every situation as us versus them or black versus white. This division makes Missourians less safe and less free, and too often, Black lives suffer the most from this fear-driven, shoot-first culture. Ralph Yarl was almost another fatality of the dangerous gun laws that get Missourians killed every day. The madness has to stop.”