ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Wearing a red cap and a Buffalo Bills pullover, safety Damar Hamlin sat down at the podium and declared he’s ready to resume playing football.

“This event was life-changing, but it’s not the end of my story,” Hamlin said Tuesday, speaking at a news conference at the team’s facility for the first time since he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati four months ago.

“I plan on making a comeback to the NFL,” Hamlin added. “My heart is still in the game.”

Hamlin spoke a few hours after general manager Brandon Beane announced Hamlin was cleared to play and was attending the team’s voluntary workout program, the latest and biggest steps in the 25-year-old’s remarkable recovery.

“He’s fully cleared. He’s here and he is of the mindset. He’s in a great headspace to come back and make his return,” Beane told reporters.

Beane said the clearance came after Hamlin met with a third and final specialist on Friday, with all three being in agreement that Hamlin can resume playing without any fear of setbacks or complications. While the Bills had their head athletic trainer sit in on Hamlin’s meetings with specialists, Beane said the team is following the lead of the specialists.

“He’s such a great kid and has such a great family, and it’s exciting to go from a guy who was fighting for his life to now,” Beane said. “His story hasn’t been written. Now it’s about his comeback.”

Hamlin’s teammates were elated to see him back in the facility working out.

“D-Ham is a special person, a beautiful soul,” fellow safety Micah Hyde said. “I look up to him, especially how he’s bounced back after facing adversity. A little scary. But to see him well and in the building and move around a little bit, it gives you a little energy.”

Hamlin’s recovery is personal to many who watched in shock as Hamlin collapsed on the field on a nationally televised “Monday Night Football” game, but moreso for Beane. While the Bills returned home after the game initially was suspended and eventually canceled, Beane spent the first four days at Hamlin’s side, including when he was awakened from a medically induced coma at the University Cincinnati Medical Center.

“It was all about his health, and it’s always going to be about his health,” Beane said. “But to truly, you know, however many months later be talking about he’s fully cleared is pretty remarkable. And I’m excited for him and his family where for where they are on his journey.”

Hamlin collapsed after making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter of a Jan. 2 game against the Bengals. His collapse led to an outporing of support from around the NFL and across North America, with donations made to Hamlin’s charitable organization topping more than $9 million.

The second-year player from Pittsburgh’s exurb of McKee’s Rock spent nearly 10 days recovering in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo before being released. He eventually began visiting the Bills’ facility and attended the team’s season-ending 27-10 loss to Cincinnati in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Hamlin has since made numerous appearances around the country, including meeting with President Joe Biden last month.

Biden posted a tweet on the visit that read: “Hamlin’s courage, resilience, and spirit inspired the American people. And what’s more: he turned recovery into action — and our country is better for it.”

The White House said in a statement that Hamlin’s efforts during his recovery had helped to “make life-saving technologies more widely available.” Biden previously spoke by phone with Hamlin’s parents while visiting Cincinnati on Jan. 4, two days after the game and while Hamlin was in the hospital.

Hamlin’s visit to Washington came as part of the player’s desire to back a bill that would increase access to defibrillators in public and private elementary and secondary schools.

During the Super Bowl festivities in Arizona in February, he received the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award. He also took part in a pregame ceremony in which the NFL honored the Bills’ and Bengals’ training and medical staffs and first responders who treated him.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Wearing a red cap and a Buffalo Bills pullover, safety Damar Hamlin sat down at the podium and declared he’s ready to resume playing football.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“This is not the end of my story. I plan to make a comeback to the NFL.” 🫶 <a href="https://t.co/jlAMdErKWk">pic.twitter.com/jlAMdErKWk</a>&mdash; Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1648384392128020481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“This event was life-changing, but it’s not the end of my story,” Hamlin said Tuesday, speaking at a news conference at the team’s facility for the first time since he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati four months ago.“I plan on making a comeback to the NFL,” Hamlin added. “My heart is still in the game.”Hamlin spoke a few hours after general manager Brandon Beane announced Hamlin was cleared to play and was attending the team’s voluntary workout program, the latest and biggest steps in the 25-year-old’s remarkable recovery.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Per GM Brandon Beane, Damar Hamlin has been cleared to resume full football activities.<a href="https://twitter.com/HamlinIsland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HamlinIsland</a> is in Buffalo and in a great headspace. ❤️💙 <a href="https://t.co/wa2ZfGm8mX">pic.twitter.com/wa2ZfGm8mX</a>&mdash; Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1648340190140956676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“He’s fully cleared. He’s here and he is of the mindset. He’s in a great headspace to come back and make his return,” Beane told reporters.Beane said the clearance came after Hamlin met with a third and final specialist on Friday, with all three being in agreement that Hamlin can resume playing without any fear of setbacks or complications. While the Bills had their head athletic trainer sit in on Hamlin’s meetings with specialists, Beane said the team is following the lead of the specialists.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Damar Hamlin is working out with the team today in Buffalo. Glad to have you back, 3. 🫶 <a href="https://t.co/n80HheSIaG">pic.twitter.com/n80HheSIaG</a>&mdash; Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1648342750566182915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“He’s such a great kid and has such a great family, and it’s exciting to go from a guy who was fighting for his life to now,” Beane said. “His story hasn’t been written. Now it’s about his comeback.”Hamlin’s teammates were elated to see him back in the facility working out.“D-Ham is a special person, a beautiful soul,” fellow safety Micah Hyde said. “I look up to him, especially how he’s bounced back after facing adversity. A little scary. But to see him well and in the building and move around a little bit, it gives you a little energy.”Hamlin’s recovery is personal to many who watched in shock as Hamlin collapsed on the field on a nationally televised “Monday Night Football” game, but moreso for Beane. While the Bills returned home after the game initially was suspended and eventually canceled, Beane spent the first four days at Hamlin’s side, including when he was awakened from a medically induced coma at the University Cincinnati Medical Center.“It was all about his health, and it’s always going to be about his health,” Beane said. “But to truly, you know, however many months later be talking about he’s fully cleared is pretty remarkable. And I’m excited for him and his family where for where they are on his journey.”Hamlin collapsed after making what appeared to be a routine tackle in the first quarter of a Jan. 2 game against the Bengals. His collapse led to an outporing of support from around the NFL and across North America, with donations made to Hamlin’s charitable organization topping more than $9 million.The second-year player from Pittsburgh’s exurb of McKee’s Rock spent nearly 10 days recovering in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo before being released. He eventually began visiting the Bills’ facility and attended the team’s season-ending 27-10 loss to Cincinnati in the divisional round of the playoffs.Hamlin has since made numerous appearances around the country, including meeting with President Joe Biden last month.Biden posted a tweet on the visit that read: “Hamlin’s courage, resilience, and spirit inspired the American people. And what’s more: he turned recovery into action — and our country is better for it.”The White House said in a statement that Hamlin’s efforts during his recovery had helped to “make life-saving technologies more widely available.” Biden previously spoke by phone with Hamlin’s parents while visiting Cincinnati on Jan. 4, two days after the game and while Hamlin was in the hospital.Hamlin’s visit to Washington came as part of the player’s desire to back a bill that would increase access to defibrillators in public and private elementary and secondary schools.During the Super Bowl festivities in Arizona in February, he received the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award. He also took part in a pregame ceremony in which the NFL honored the Bills’ and Bengals’ training and medical staffs and first responders who treated him.___

🎥Damar Hamlin cleared to play football after cardiac arrest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The mother of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-black-teen-shooting-9602deefd974b9b91220aaa8a94f25c7">Ralph Yarl</a>, the Black teenager shot when he mistakenly went to the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, home to pick up his younger brothers, said her son is crying “buckets of tears” as he comes to grips with what happened to him.

Meanwhile, the 84-year-old man charged in the shooting turned himself in Tuesday at the Clay County Detention Center, the sheriff's office said. Andrew Lester surrendered a day after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Some civil rights leaders urged a hate crime charge but Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said first-degree assault is a higher-level crime with a longer sentence — up to life in prison.

“Ralph is doing considerably well," Cleo Nagbe told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs-mornings/">“CBS Mornings”</a>&nbsp;co-host Gayle King on Tuesday. "Physically, mornings are hard, but his spirits are in a good place. I borrow from his spirits.”

Nagbe said the trauma remains evident. She said her 16-year-old son is “able to communicate mostly when he feels like it, but mostly he just sits there and stares and the buckets of tears just rolls down his eyes.”

“You can see that he is just replaying the situation over and over again, and that just doesn’t stop my tears either,” she said.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the the GoFundMe to assist the Yarl family

The shooting happened about 10 p.m. Thursday. Police Chief Stacey Graves said that Yarl’s parents asked him to pick up his twin brothers at a home on 115th Terrace.

Yarl, an honor student and all-state band member, mistakenly went to 115th Street. When he rang the bell, Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the forehead — then shot him again, in the right forearm.

Lester told police he lives alone and was “scared to death” when he saw a Black male on the porch and thought someone was trying to break in, according to the probable cause statement.

No words were exchanged before the shooting, but afterward, as Yarl got up to run, he heard Lester yell, “Don’t come around here,” the statement said.

Yarl ran to “multiple” homes asking for help before finding someone who would call the police, the statement said.

James Lynch was the neighbor who found Yarl. Lynch didn’t immediately respond to an interview request but his wife, Tiffany, in a brief interview confirmed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/good-samaritan-helped-ralph-yarl-found-bloody-motionless-didnt-deserve-rcna80116?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma">NBC News</a>&nbsp;report that said Lynch heard shouting and saw Yarl banging on the door of another home.

“I heard somebody screaming, ‘Help, help, I’ve been shot!’” Lynch, who is white, told NBC. The father of three ran out and found Yarl covered in blood. Lynch checked his pulse and, when another neighbor came out with towels, helped stem the bleeding until paramedics arrived.

“He just wants the family to know that Ralph wasn’t alone,” Tiffany Lynch said, adding that the action was typical of her husband.

“He helps out anyone he can and always has,” she said.

The shooting outraged many in Kansas City and across the country. Civic and political leaders — including President Joe Biden — demanded justice.

The civil rights attorneys for Yarl’s family, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, said in a statement that Biden called the teen’s family and offered “prayers for Ralph’s health and for justice.” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter that “No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell.”

Thompson said Monday that there was a “racial component” to the shooting. He did not elaborate. But Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alexander Higginbotham clarified in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that “there is not a racial element to the legal charges that were filed.”

Still, some — including lawyers for Yarl's family — pressed the racial dimension of the case. A protest rally was planned for Tuesday afternoon, and several civil rights organizations planned a news conference at the rally site.

“The police are not treating this case in the same way Black people accused of murder are treated," Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel Jr. said in a statement. "A Black suspect would have been in jail.”

The assault charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Lester also was charged with armed criminal action, which has a penalty range of three to 15 years in prison.

It wasn't immediately clear if the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating. Messages left with a spokesman were not immediately returned.

Charging Lester with a hate crime would have potentially meant a shorter sentence if he's convicted, experts said.

Washington University School of Law Professor Peter Joy said the state hate crime law is used only to enhance low-level felony or misdemeanor charges, taking them no higher than a class-C felony level, with a penalty range of three to 10 years upon conviction.

“What the prosecutor did was charge (Lester) with the highest degree of felony they could charge him with,” Joy said.

Legal experts believe Lester's lawyers will claim self-defense under Missouri’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The law allows for use of deadly force if a person is in fear for his or her life. Missouri is among roughly 30 states with such statutes.

Robert Spitzer, a professor emeritus of political science at the State University of New York, Cortland, whose research focuses on gun policy and politics, said the Missouri law provides “wide latitude for people to use lethal force.”

St. Louis defense attorney Nina McDonnell agreed. She said prosecutors have a strong case but the Stand Your Ground law defense is a “huge hurdle” to overcome.

“The defendant was in his house and has expressed that he was in fear," McDonnell said.

By Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe page set up for Yarl had raised $2.9 million from 77,000 donations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The mother of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-black-teen-shooting-9602deefd974b9b91220aaa8a94f25c7">Ralph Yarl</a>, the Black teenager shot when he mistakenly went to the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, home to pick up his younger brothers, said her son is crying “buckets of tears” as he comes to grips with what happened to him.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Andrew Lester, charged in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, has surrendered at our Detention Center. He is in custody.&mdash; Clay County, Missouri Sheriff (@SheriffClayCo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SheriffClayCo/status/1648387530016825358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Meanwhile, the 84-year-old man charged in the shooting turned himself in Tuesday at the Clay County Detention Center, the sheriff's office said. Andrew Lester surrendered a day after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Some civil rights leaders urged a hate crime charge but Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said first-degree assault is a higher-level crime with a longer sentence — up to life in prison.“Ralph is doing considerably well," Cleo Nagbe told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs-mornings/">“CBS Mornings”</a>&nbsp;co-host Gayle King on Tuesday. "Physically, mornings are hard, but his spirits are in a good place. I borrow from his spirits.”Nagbe said the trauma remains evident. She said her 16-year-old son is “able to communicate mostly when he feels like it, but mostly he just sits there and stares and the buckets of tears just rolls down his eyes.”“You can see that he is just replaying the situation over and over again, and that just doesn’t stop my tears either,” she said.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the the GoFundMe to assist the Yarl family<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681844207619.png" alt="Lester in his Tuesday afternoon booking photo released by Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Lester in his Tuesday afternoon booking photo released by Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>The shooting happened about 10 p.m. Thursday. Police Chief Stacey Graves said that Yarl’s parents asked him to pick up his twin brothers at a home on 115th Terrace.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last night, I had a chance to call Ralph Yarl and his family. No parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell. We&#39;ve got to keep up the fight against gun violence. And Ralph, we&#39;ll see you in the Oval once you feel better. <a href="https://t.co/mPXiM1X6nK">pic.twitter.com/mPXiM1X6nK</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1648390965797744640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Yarl, an honor student and all-state band member, mistakenly went to 115th Street. When he rang the bell, Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the forehead — then shot him again, in the right forearm.Lester told police he lives alone and was “scared to death” when he saw a Black male on the porch and thought someone was trying to break in, according to the probable cause statement.No words were exchanged before the shooting, but afterward, as Yarl got up to run, he heard Lester yell, “Don’t come around here,” the statement said.Yarl ran to “multiple” homes asking for help before finding someone who would call the police, the statement said.James Lynch was the neighbor who found Yarl. Lynch didn’t immediately respond to an interview request but his wife, Tiffany, in a brief interview confirmed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/good-samaritan-helped-ralph-yarl-found-bloody-motionless-didnt-deserve-rcna80116?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma">NBC News</a>&nbsp;report that said Lynch heard shouting and saw Yarl banging on the door of another home.“I heard somebody screaming, ‘Help, help, I’ve been shot!’” Lynch, who is white, told NBC. The father of three ran out and found Yarl covered in blood. Lynch checked his pulse and, when another neighbor came out with towels, helped stem the bleeding until paramedics arrived.“He just wants the family to know that Ralph wasn’t alone,” Tiffany Lynch said, adding that the action was typical of her husband.“He helps out anyone he can and always has,” she said.The shooting outraged many in Kansas City and across the country. Civic and political leaders — including President Joe Biden — demanded justice.The civil rights attorneys for Yarl’s family, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, said in a statement that Biden called the teen’s family and offered “prayers for Ralph’s health and for justice.” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter that “No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell.”Thompson said Monday that there was a “racial component” to the shooting. He did not elaborate. But Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alexander Higginbotham clarified in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that “there is not a racial element to the legal charges that were filed.”Still, some — including lawyers for Yarl's family — pressed the racial dimension of the case. A protest rally was planned for Tuesday afternoon, and several civil rights organizations planned a news conference at the rally site.“The police are not treating this case in the same way Black people accused of murder are treated," Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel Jr. said in a statement. "A Black suspect would have been in jail.”The assault charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Lester also was charged with armed criminal action, which has a penalty range of three to 15 years in prison.It wasn't immediately clear if the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating. Messages left with a spokesman were not immediately returned.Charging Lester with a hate crime would have potentially meant a shorter sentence if he's convicted, experts said.Washington University School of Law Professor Peter Joy said the state hate crime law is used only to enhance low-level felony or misdemeanor charges, taking them no higher than a class-C felony level, with a penalty range of three to 10 years upon conviction.“What the prosecutor did was charge (Lester) with the highest degree of felony they could charge him with,” Joy said.Legal experts believe Lester's lawyers will claim self-defense under Missouri’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The law allows for use of deadly force if a person is in fear for his or her life. Missouri is among roughly 30 states with such statutes.Robert Spitzer, a professor emeritus of political science at the State University of New York, Cortland, whose research focuses on gun policy and politics, said the Missouri law provides “wide latitude for people to use lethal force.”St. Louis defense attorney Nina McDonnell agreed. She said prosecutors have a strong case but the Stand Your Ground law defense is a “huge hurdle” to overcome.“The defendant was in his house and has expressed that he was in fear," McDonnell said.By Tuesday morning, a GoFundMe page set up for Yarl had raised $2.9 million from 77,000 donations.___

Homeowner who shot black KC teen turns himself in at county jail

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 6:30p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a report of gunshots in the 2300 block of SE Bellview Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. 

First responders found an adult man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Late Monday, police reported the&nbsp;victim was pronounced deceased. Police reported no additional details including the victim's name early Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681821530853.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Monday evening-Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Monday evening-Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just after 6:30p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a report of gunshots in the 2300 block of SE Bellview Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. First responders found an adult man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.Late Monday, police reported the&nbsp;victim was pronounced deceased. Police reported no additional details including the victim's name early Tuesday.

Police: Victim in Kansas shooting has died

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines planes were grounded nationwide for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, causing more than 1,700 flight delays Tuesday just four months after the carrier suffered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-transportation-us-department-of-0925834b8cfcf1150358f874334d16d7">meltdown</a>&nbsp;over the Christmas travel rush.

The hold on departures was lifted by late morning, shortly after it was announced, according to Southwest and the Federal Aviation Administration, but not before traffic at airports from Denver to New York City backed up.

“Southwest has resumed operations after temporarily pausing flight activity this morning to work through data connection issues resulting from a firewall failure,” the Dallas airline said in a prepared statement. “Early this morning, a vendor-supplied firewall went down and connection to some operational data was unexpectedly lost.”

The airline urged customers to check on their flight status “and explore self-service options” for travel as the airline worked on restoring its operation.

By late morning on the East Coast, Southwest accounted for well over half of all delays nationwide, but the airline had canceled fewer than a dozen flights, according to FlightAware.

Tuesday's flight freeze was brief, but it added to the picture of an airline that has struggled more than most with technology issues. CEO Robert Jordan has embarked on a campaign to repair the airline's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-texas-arizona-california-da3b72f2350b0f77498f7f67316facb5">damaged reputation</a>.

In December, Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday due to bad weather and its crew-scheduling system becoming overwhelmed. Those cancellations cost the airline more than $1 billion. The Transportation Department is investigating the breakdown.

The airline’s unions have said they warned management about problems with the crew-scheduling system after a previous meltdown in October 2021.

Southwest said last month it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cancellations-technology-weather-314069ab4bb9de5eb804c566927606ec">add deicing equipment and increase staffing</a>&nbsp;during winter weather that is cold enough to limit the amount of time that ground workers can stay outside.

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines planes were stopped from taking off nationwide for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, causing more than 1,500 flight delays Tuesday just four months after the carrier suffered a meltdown over the Christmas travel rush.

Southwest and the Federal Aviation Administration said by late morning on the East Coast that the pause had been lifted.

In December, Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday due to bad weather and its crew-scheduling system becoming overwhelmed. Those cancellations cost the airline more than $1 billion and are being investigated by the Transportation Department.

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights again Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S., and the federal government said it would investigate why the company lagged so far behind other carriers.

y late morning on the East Coast, more than 1,500 Southwest flights had been delayed, accounting for well over half of all delays nationwide, according to FlightAware.

Southwest said on Twitter that it asked the Federal Aviation Administration to hold up departures because of “intermittent" technical issues and hoped to resume flights as soon as possible.

The airline did not immediately respond to questions about the nature of the technical problem.

The FAA said only that Southwest requested the pause on flights, and referred questions to the Dallas-based airline.

KANSAS CITY —All Southwest Airlines flight departures were halted nationwide just before 10a.m. Tuesday due to technical issues, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Grounds stops prevent any flights not already in the air from departing, according to the FAA.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

In December, Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681829765447.png" alt="Image Kansas City International Airport" />
 <figcaption>Image Kansas City International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This morning <a href="https://twitter.com/SouthwestAir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SouthwestAir</a> experienced a technical issue with one of their internal systems. At the airline’s request, the FAA paused Southwest’s departures as they resolved the issue. The pause has been lifted and their service has resumed.&mdash; The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1648343231569035266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines planes were grounded nationwide for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, causing more than 1,700 flight delays Tuesday just four months after the carrier suffered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-transportation-us-department-of-0925834b8cfcf1150358f874334d16d7">meltdown</a>&nbsp;over the Christmas travel rush.The hold on departures was lifted by late morning, shortly after it was announced, according to Southwest and the Federal Aviation Administration, but not before traffic at airports from Denver to New York City backed up.“Southwest has resumed operations after temporarily pausing flight activity this morning to work through data connection issues resulting from a firewall failure,” the Dallas airline said in a prepared statement. “Early this morning, a vendor-supplied firewall went down and connection to some operational data was unexpectedly lost.”The airline urged customers to check on their flight status “and explore self-service options” for travel as the airline worked on restoring its operation.By late morning on the East Coast, Southwest accounted for well over half of all delays nationwide, but the airline had canceled fewer than a dozen flights, according to FlightAware.Tuesday's flight freeze was brief, but it added to the picture of an airline that has struggled more than most with technology issues. CEO Robert Jordan has embarked on a campaign to repair the airline's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-texas-arizona-california-da3b72f2350b0f77498f7f67316facb5">damaged reputation</a>.In December, Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday due to bad weather and its crew-scheduling system becoming overwhelmed. Those cancellations cost the airline more than $1 billion. The Transportation Department is investigating the breakdown.The airline’s unions have said they warned management about problems with the crew-scheduling system after a previous meltdown in October 2021.Southwest said last month it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cancellations-technology-weather-314069ab4bb9de5eb804c566927606ec">add deicing equipment and increase staffing</a>&nbsp;during winter weather that is cold enough to limit the amount of time that ground workers can stay outside.------------DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines planes were stopped from taking off nationwide for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, causing more than 1,500 flight delays Tuesday just four months after the carrier suffered a meltdown over the Christmas travel rush.Southwest and the Federal Aviation Administration said by late morning on the East Coast that the pause had been lifted.“Southwest has resumed operations after temporarily pausing flight activity this morning to work through data connection issues resulting from a firewall failure,” the Dallas airline said in a prepared statement. “Early this morning, a vendor-supplied firewall went down and connection to some operational data was unexpectedly lost.”By late morning on the East Coast, Southwest accounted for well over half of all delays nationwide, but the airline had canceled fewer than a dozen flights, according to FlightAware.In December, Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday due to bad weather and its crew-scheduling system becoming overwhelmed. Those cancellations cost the airline more than $1 billion and are being investigated by the Transportation Department.------------DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights again Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S., and the federal government said it would investigate why the company lagged so far behind other carriers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Southwest Airlines requested the FAA pause the airline’s departures. Please contact Southwest Airlines for more.&mdash; The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1648334637574356994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>y late morning on the East Coast, more than 1,500 Southwest flights had been delayed, accounting for well over half of all delays nationwide, according to FlightAware.Southwest said on Twitter that it asked the Federal Aviation Administration to hold up departures because of “intermittent" technical issues and hoped to resume flights as soon as possible.The airline did not immediately respond to questions about the nature of the technical problem.The FAA said only that Southwest requested the pause on flights, and referred questions to the Dallas-based airline.In December, Southwest canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday due to bad weather and its crew-scheduling system becoming overwhelmed. Those cancellations cost the airline more than $1 billion and are being investigated by the Transportation Department.-----------------KANSAS CITY —All Southwest Airlines flight departures were halted nationwide just before 10a.m. Tuesday due to technical issues, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Southwest Airlines requested the FAA pause the airline’s departures. Please contact Southwest Airlines for more.&mdash; The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1648334637574356994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Grounds stops prevent any flights not already in the air from departing, according to the FAA.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.In December, Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S.

Southwest passengers face delays after nationwide grounding

CONSHOKOCKEN, Pa. (AP) — David’s Bridal has filed for bankruptcy protection, the second time for the chain in the past five years.

The announcement Monday arrives days after the company, one of the largest sellers of wedding gowns and formal wear, said it could eliminate more than 9,200 jobs across the United States. Based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company has about 300 stores across dozens of states and employs more than 11,000 workers,

David’s Bridal is looking to sell the company, but its stores remain open and its fulfilling orders without delay. Its online platforms also remain available to help people with their wedding planning needs.

The company last filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018 but reemerged a year later. Monday's filing was made in New Jersey.

The company has two locations in Wichita, Lenexa, Topeka, two locations in Kansas City as well as Blue Springs, Springfield, Columbia, St. Peters and St. Louis, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681826105095.png" alt="David's Bridal in Topeka- The company has 7 locations in Missouri and 3 locations in Kansas -Google image" />
 <figcaption>David's Bridal in Topeka- The company has 7 locations in Missouri and 3 locations in Kansas -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>CONSHOKOCKEN, Pa. (AP) — David’s Bridal has filed for bankruptcy protection, the second time for the chain in the past five years.The announcement Monday arrives days after the company, one of the largest sellers of wedding gowns and formal wear, said it could eliminate more than 9,200 jobs across the United States. Based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company has about 300 stores across dozens of states and employs more than 11,000 workers,David’s Bridal is looking to sell the company, but its stores remain open and its fulfilling orders without delay. Its online platforms also remain available to help people with their wedding planning needs.The company last filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018 but reemerged a year later. Monday's filing was made in New Jersey.The company has two locations in Wichita, Lenexa, Topeka, two locations in Kansas City as well as Blue Springs, Springfield, Columbia, St. Peters and St. Louis, Missouri.

David's Bridal files for bankruptcy, but your order is safe

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a weekend standoff.

Just before 5:30p.m. on April 16, police responded to a domestic violence disturbance with a weapon at a home in the 7000 block of West Freeman in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp;

 A 911 caller reported a man identified as 20-year-old Markel Henderson was inside a home and threatened multiple people with a firearm. The 911 caller and another victim reported leaving the house, but Henderson was still inside.

Officers arrived at the&nbsp; home and established a perimeter as the Wichita Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was assembled. Officers were able to make contact with the suspect, who exited the home and was taken into custody shortly before 8:00 p.m.

Henderson was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on requested charges of aggravated assault,&nbsp; criminal threat and battery. He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681770126430.png" alt="Henderson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Henderson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a weekend standoff.Just before 5:30p.m. on April 16, police responded to a domestic violence disturbance with a weapon at a home in the 7000 block of West Freeman in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy.&nbsp; A 911 caller reported a man identified as 20-year-old Markel Henderson was inside a home and threatened multiple people with a firearm. The 911 caller and another victim reported leaving the house, but Henderson was still inside.Officers arrived at the&nbsp; home and established a perimeter as the Wichita Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was assembled. Officers were able to make contact with the suspect, who exited the home and was taken into custody shortly before 8:00 p.m.Henderson was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on requested charges of aggravated assault,&nbsp; criminal threat and battery. He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man arrested after standoff with SWAT team

MOSCOW (AP) —An American journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wall-street-journal-reporter-espionage-152e4bc8c9c97c36d263898c9cf44ad9">arrested on spying charges</a>&nbsp;as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on press freedom amid the war in Ukraine will remain jailed, a Russian judge ruled Tuesday. Evan Gershkovich and the U.S. government vehemently deny the allegations.

The Wall Street Journal reporter is the first U.S. correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying allegations and his arrest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-journalists-danger-reporter-detained-2172a2edc07d652ebaf000eb1c3e3618">rattled journalists in the country</a>&nbsp;and elicited outrage in the West.

Dozens of journalists crowded into the courtroom to catch a glimpse of Gershkovich. Clad in pale-blue jeans and a plaid shirt, the 31-year-old reporter looked calm and even smiled at times as he stood inside a glass cage to appeal his detention.

Russian journalist Vasily Polonsky posted a video online of Gerhskovich nodding as Polonsky shouted at him: “Evan, hang in there. Everyone says hello!”

Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the 31-year-old in Yekaterinburg in March and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.

Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government deny he was involved in spying and have demanded his release.

“Evan is a member of the free press who right up until he was arrested was engaged in newsgathering. Any suggestions otherwise are false," the Journal has said in a statement.

Last week, the U.S. officially declared that Gershkovich was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-detained-reporter-ec01fede36db839b4c09c4c071e8da9f">“wrongfully detained.”</a>

A judge with the Moscow City Court rejected the reporter’s appeal of his detention on Tuesday, ruling that he must stay in jail until at least May 29.

Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Russian lawyers have said past investigations into espionage cases took a year to 18 months, during which time he could have little contact with the outside world.

He has been held in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-lefortovo-prison-gershkovich-russia-wall-street-journal-2b160207d8c08f8ca0cc30b619daf6e9">Moscow’s Lefortovo prison</a>, which dates from the czarist era and has been a terrifying symbol of repression since Soviet times.

The arrest comes at a moment of bitter tensions between the West and Moscow over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and as the Kremlin intensifies a crackdown on opposition activists, independent journalists and civil society groups.

The sweeping campaign of repression is unprecedented since the Soviet era. Activists say it often means the very profession of journalism is criminalized, along with the activities of ordinary Russians who oppose the war.

Last month, a Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crackdown-opposition-father-drawing-7ef43a8fb8f0110638b96a677a222b2b">convicted a father over social media posts critical of the war</a>&nbsp;and sentenced him to two years in prison. On Monday, a Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kara-murza-sentence-b9d389feeb468ca3d19171d0440faa7d">convicted top opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr.</a>&nbsp;of treason for publicly denouncing the war and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

The U.S. has pressed Moscow to grant consular access to Gershkovich. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy, who attended Tuesday's hearing, said a day earlier that she had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-ambassador-visits-evan-gershkovich-russia-prison-245159c600fccbc6b9a300c9a8c2c29e">visited Gershkovich in prison</a>. She said on Twitter that “he is in good health and remains strong,” reiterating a U.S. call for his immediate release.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Greshkovich’s parents last week and again condemned his detention.

“We’re making it real clear that it’s totally illegal what’s happening, and we declared it so,” he said.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested. Daniloff was released without charge 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Union’s United Nations mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges.

A top Russian diplomat said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-detained-wall-street-journal-reporter-d3a51b09c1db6b1d5b8012367bff51c4">Russia might be willing to discuss</a>&nbsp;a potential prisoner swap with the U.S. involving Gershkovich after his trial. That means any exchange is unlikely to happen any time soon.

In December, American basketball star Brittney Griner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/54de0cc371615a7165053a76eff17380">was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout</a>&nbsp;following her trial and conviction on drug possession charges. She had been sentenced to nine years in prison and ended up spending 10 months behind bars.

Another American, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges, which his family and the U.S. government have called baseless.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681820900687.png" alt="Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)" />
 <figcaption>Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) —An American journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wall-street-journal-reporter-espionage-152e4bc8c9c97c36d263898c9cf44ad9">arrested on spying charges</a>&nbsp;as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on press freedom amid the war in Ukraine will remain jailed, a Russian judge ruled Tuesday. Evan Gershkovich and the U.S. government vehemently deny the allegations.The Wall Street Journal reporter is the first U.S. correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying allegations and his arrest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-journalists-danger-reporter-detained-2172a2edc07d652ebaf000eb1c3e3618">rattled journalists in the country</a>&nbsp;and elicited outrage in the West.Dozens of journalists crowded into the courtroom to catch a glimpse of Gershkovich. Clad in pale-blue jeans and a plaid shirt, the 31-year-old reporter looked calm and even smiled at times as he stood inside a glass cage to appeal his detention.Russian journalist Vasily Polonsky posted a video online of Gerhskovich nodding as Polonsky shouted at him: “Evan, hang in there. Everyone says hello!”Russia’s Federal Security Service detained the 31-year-old in Yekaterinburg in March and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory.Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government deny he was involved in spying and have demanded his release.“Evan is a member of the free press who right up until he was arrested was engaged in newsgathering. Any suggestions otherwise are false," the Journal has said in a statement.Last week, the U.S. officially declared that Gershkovich was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-detained-reporter-ec01fede36db839b4c09c4c071e8da9f">“wrongfully detained.”</a>A judge with the Moscow City Court rejected the reporter’s appeal of his detention on Tuesday, ruling that he must stay in jail until at least May 29.Gershkovich could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Russian lawyers have said past investigations into espionage cases took a year to 18 months, during which time he could have little contact with the outside world.He has been held in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-lefortovo-prison-gershkovich-russia-wall-street-journal-2b160207d8c08f8ca0cc30b619daf6e9">Moscow’s Lefortovo prison</a>, which dates from the czarist era and has been a terrifying symbol of repression since Soviet times.The arrest comes at a moment of bitter tensions between the West and Moscow over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and as the Kremlin intensifies a crackdown on opposition activists, independent journalists and civil society groups.The sweeping campaign of repression is unprecedented since the Soviet era. Activists say it often means the very profession of journalism is criminalized, along with the activities of ordinary Russians who oppose the war.Last month, a Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crackdown-opposition-father-drawing-7ef43a8fb8f0110638b96a677a222b2b">convicted a father over social media posts critical of the war</a>&nbsp;and sentenced him to two years in prison. On Monday, a Russian court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kara-murza-sentence-b9d389feeb468ca3d19171d0440faa7d">convicted top opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr.</a>&nbsp;of treason for publicly denouncing the war and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.The U.S. has pressed Moscow to grant consular access to Gershkovich. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy, who attended Tuesday's hearing, said a day earlier that she had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-ambassador-visits-evan-gershkovich-russia-prison-245159c600fccbc6b9a300c9a8c2c29e">visited Gershkovich in prison</a>. She said on Twitter that “he is in good health and remains strong,” reiterating a U.S. call for his immediate release.U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Greshkovich’s parents last week and again condemned his detention.“We’re making it real clear that it’s totally illegal what’s happening, and we declared it so,” he said.Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested. Daniloff was released without charge 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Union’s United Nations mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges.A top Russian diplomat said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-detained-wall-street-journal-reporter-d3a51b09c1db6b1d5b8012367bff51c4">Russia might be willing to discuss</a>&nbsp;a potential prisoner swap with the U.S. involving Gershkovich after his trial. That means any exchange is unlikely to happen any time soon.In December, American basketball star Brittney Griner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/54de0cc371615a7165053a76eff17380">was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout</a>&nbsp;following her trial and conviction on drug possession charges. She had been sentenced to nine years in prison and ended up spending 10 months behind bars.Another American, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, has been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges, which his family and the U.S. government have called baseless.

US reporter held by Russia on spying charges to stay in jail

KANSAS CITY (AP) — An 84-year-old white man in Kansas City, Missouri was charged Monday with first-degree assault for shooting a Black teen who mistakenly went to the man's home to pick up his younger brothers.

The assault charge is a class A felony. It is the highest-level offense in Missouri.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/hosted/JUDEDintra/MOSAC/Criminal_System.html#:~:text=Class%20A%20felony%2C%20a%20term,not%20to%20exceed%20ten%20years.">Click here to read</a> details from the Sentencing Commission.

Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that there was a “racial component” Thursday night when Andrew Lester twice shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital. But nothing in the charging documents says the shooting was racially motivated, Thompson clarified.

“We understand how frustrating this has been but I can assure you the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said.

The shooting outraged many in Kansas City and across the country. Civic and political leaders — including President Joe Biden — demanded justice. Some, including lawyers for Yarl, pressed the racial dimension of the case.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the the GoFundMe to assist the family

Yarl, an honor student and all-state band member, was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers when he approached the wrong house at roughly 10 p.m. Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the forehead -- then shot him again, in the right forearm.

No words were exchanged before the shooting, the probable cause statement said. But afterward, as Yarl got up to run, he heard Lester yell, “Don’t come around here,” the statement said.

Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, called the shooting a “heinous and hate-filled crime.” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter that "No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell.” The Missouri Senate held a moment of silence for Yarl on Monday.

The civil rights attorneys for Yarl’s family, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, said in a statement that Biden called Yarl’s family and offiered “prayers for Ralph’s health and for justice.”

“Gun violence against unarmed Black individuals must stop,” the lawyers’ statement read. “Our children should feel safe, not as though they are being hunted.”

Yarl’s supporters plan to hold a rally Tuesday evening in Kansas City.

The assault charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Lester also was charged with armed criminal action, which has a penalty range of three to 15 years in prison. Lester was not charged with a hate crime. Thompson said Missouri’s statute is considered a lesser felony than first-degree assault, and carries a less severe penalty.

Missouri is among roughly 30 states with “Stand Your Ground” laws, which allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense, but the prosecutor determined the shooting was not in self defense.

An arrest warrant was issued but Lester was not yet in custody, Thompson said.

Lester told police that he lives alone and had just gone to bed when he heard his doorbell, according to the probable cause statement. He said he picked up his gun and went to the door, where he saw a Black male pulling on the exterior storm door handle and thought someone was breaking in.

A number for Lester was not in service on Monday evening and it was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.

The shooting happened in a middle class neighborhood in north Kansas City. Yarl didn't have a phone with him and went to the wrong block, his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help pay medical bills. By Monday afternoon, $1.4 million had been raised.

Police Chief Stacey Graves said that Yarl's parents asked him to pick up his brothers at a home on 115th Terrace, but he mistakenly went to 115th Street, the Kansas City Star reported.

Yarl is a bass clarinetist who earned Missouri All-State Band honorable mention and who plays several instruments in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Kansas City, Spoonmore wrote. A statement from the North Kansas City School District described Yarl as “an excellent student and talented musician.”

Spoonmore said Yarl is “doing well physically” but has a lot of trauma to overcome emotionally.

By Monday afternoon, the home where the shooting happened had been vandalized. Black spray-paint on the side of the house showed a heart with “16” in the middle. Eggs splattered the front windows and the door.

A message seeking comment from Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a staunch gun rights supporters, wasn’t immediately returned.

Crump, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trayvon-martin-death-of-george-floyd-florida-race-and-ethnicity-michael-brown-96d01a255bebe5762a9bf356768a5e5c">represented families</a>&nbsp;in several high-profile case of Black people being shot, including those of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Trayvon-Martin-death-10-years-later-c68f12130b2992d9c1ba31ec1a398cdd">Trayvon Martin</a>, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, questioned why the shooter wasn't arrested and charged immediately.

“We all believe that if the roles were reversed and this was a Black citizen who shot a 16-year-old for merely ringing his doorbell, they would have arrested him, and he wouldn’t have slept in his bed that night,” Crump said.

Two days after Yarl was shot, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-shooting-wrong-driveway-new-york-dd45b17e3a806abf11d1aaf5b235fb13">20-year-old woman was killed</a>&nbsp;by a homeowner in Upstate New York Saturday after the car she was in drove to the wrong address. Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said Kaylin Gillis was in a car with three others looking for a friend’s house.

As the car was turning around, Kevin Monahan came out and fired two shots, one of which struck Gillis. Monahan was charged with second-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681779588169.png" alt="Lester from his Thursday night arrest booking-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Lester from his Thursday night arrest booking-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — An 84-year-old white man in Kansas City, Missouri was charged Monday with first-degree assault for shooting a Black teen who mistakenly went to the man's home to pick up his younger brothers.The assault charge is a class A felony. It is the highest-level offense in Missouri.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/hosted/JUDEDintra/MOSAC/Criminal_System.html#:~:text=Class%20A%20felony%2C%20a%20term,not%20to%20exceed%20ten%20years.">Click here to read</a> details from the Sentencing Commission.Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that there was a “racial component” Thursday night when Andrew Lester twice shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital. But nothing in the charging documents says the shooting was racially motivated, Thompson clarified.“We understand how frustrating this has been but I can assure you the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said.The shooting outraged many in Kansas City and across the country. Civic and political leaders — including President Joe Biden — demanded justice. Some, including lawyers for Yarl, pressed the racial dimension of the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Ralph Yarl-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ralph Yarl-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the the GoFundMe to assist the familyYarl, an honor student and all-state band member, was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers when he approached the wrong house at roughly 10 p.m. Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the forehead -- then shot him again, in the right forearm.No words were exchanged before the shooting, the probable cause statement said. But afterward, as Yarl got up to run, he heard Lester yell, “Don’t come around here,” the statement said.Yarl ran to “multiple” homes asking for help before finding someone who would call the police, the statement said.Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, called the shooting a “heinous and hate-filled crime.” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter that "No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell.” The Missouri Senate held a moment of silence for Yarl on Monday.The civil rights attorneys for Yarl’s family, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, said in a statement that Biden called Yarl’s family and offiered “prayers for Ralph’s health and for justice.”“Gun violence against unarmed Black individuals must stop,” the lawyers’ statement read. “Our children should feel safe, not as though they are being hunted.”Yarl’s supporters plan to hold a rally Tuesday evening in Kansas City.The assault charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison. Lester also was charged with armed criminal action, which has a penalty range of three to 15 years in prison. Lester was not charged with a hate crime. Thompson said Missouri’s statute is considered a lesser felony than first-degree assault, and carries a less severe penalty.Missouri is among roughly 30 states with “Stand Your Ground” laws, which allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense, but the prosecutor determined the shooting was not in self defense.An arrest warrant was issued but Lester was not yet in custody, Thompson said.Lester told police that he lives alone and had just gone to bed when he heard his doorbell, according to the probable cause statement. He said he picked up his gun and went to the door, where he saw a Black male pulling on the exterior storm door handle and thought someone was breaking in.A number for Lester was not in service on Monday evening and it was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf.The shooting happened in a middle class neighborhood in north Kansas City. Yarl didn't have a phone with him and went to the wrong block, his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help pay medical bills. By Monday afternoon, $1.4 million had been raised.Police Chief Stacey Graves said that Yarl's parents asked him to pick up his brothers at a home on 115th Terrace, but he mistakenly went to 115th Street, the Kansas City Star reported.Yarl is a bass clarinetist who earned Missouri All-State Band honorable mention and who plays several instruments in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Kansas City, Spoonmore wrote. A statement from the North Kansas City School District described Yarl as “an excellent student and talented musician.”Spoonmore said Yarl is “doing well physically” but has a lot of trauma to overcome emotionally.By Monday afternoon, the home where the shooting happened had been vandalized. Black spray-paint on the side of the house showed a heart with “16” in the middle. Eggs splattered the front windows and the door.A message seeking comment from Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a staunch gun rights supporters, wasn’t immediately returned.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;ve been retained by Ralph Yarl &amp; his family following the unjustifiable shooting of the 16-yo by an unidentified white male assailant. <a href="https://twitter.com/MerrittForTexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MerrittForTexas</a> &amp; our legal team demand Clay County prosecutors &amp; law enforcement swiftly identify, arrest, &amp; prosecute the man responsible! <a href="https://t.co/FmX2S7ZEZh">pic.twitter.com/FmX2S7ZEZh</a>&mdash; Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/AttorneyCrump/status/1647768828460298250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Crump, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trayvon-martin-death-of-george-floyd-florida-race-and-ethnicity-michael-brown-96d01a255bebe5762a9bf356768a5e5c">represented families</a>&nbsp;in several high-profile case of Black people being shot, including those of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Trayvon-Martin-death-10-years-later-c68f12130b2992d9c1ba31ec1a398cdd">Trayvon Martin</a>, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, questioned why the shooter wasn't arrested and charged immediately.“We all believe that if the roles were reversed and this was a Black citizen who shot a 16-year-old for merely ringing his doorbell, they would have arrested him, and he wouldn’t have slept in his bed that night,” Crump said.Two days after Yarl was shot, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-shooting-wrong-driveway-new-york-dd45b17e3a806abf11d1aaf5b235fb13">20-year-old woman was killed</a>&nbsp;by a homeowner in Upstate New York Saturday after the car she was in drove to the wrong address. Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said Kaylin Gillis was in a car with three others looking for a friend’s house.As the car was turning around, Kevin Monahan came out and fired two shots, one of which struck Gillis. Monahan was charged with second-degree murder.

No words exchanged before homeowner shot Black Kansas City teen

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Transgender girls and women would no longer be allowed to play on the same team as other girls and women under a bill passed Monday in Missouri's Republican-led House.

Lawmakers voted 104-46 to send the measure to the GOP-led Senate, which passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-sports-missouri-d4297eebf904ef58c0fb1dabed93e331">similar legislation earlier this year</a>.

The ban would apply to student athletes in grade 6 through college, including teams at private schools. Public K-12 schools and colleges would lose state funding for allowing transgender girls to play sports with other girls.

Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jamie Burger, of Benton, said allowing transgender girls to play with other girls will “wipe out female sports as we know it.”

“Biological males are bigger. They are stronger. They are faster," Burger said on the House floor late Monday. “The majority of women simply cannot compete.”

Democratic Rep. Keri Ingle, of Lee's Summit, said children “don't harbor our fears and our ignorance, and thank God for that.”

“We can't bear the thought of kids who are different playing with our kids, can we?” she said before voting against the bill.

The Missouri bill is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-north-carolina-supermajority-cotham-7ef9957354df1af18d89ca34c891ff27">hundreds drafted by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. this year to push back on LGBTQ+ freedoms, especially targeting transgender people’s everyday lives — including sports, health care, bathrooms, workplaces and schools.

At least 20 states have imposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-ban-kansas-08604c663518fb2538565f3e1ac3d4ba">restrictions on transgender athletes</a>.

Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/Official%20Handbook.pdf">current public high school sports rules already prohibit</a>&nbsp;transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they have undergone at least a year of hormone therapy and continue taking medication to maintain their hormone levels.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association requires transgender athletes to apply and submit documentation of medical care in order to compete as the gender they identify with.

A spokesperson for the association has said 13 students have been approved since the organization adopted the rules in 2012, including only four transgender girls.

Missouri Republicans also have been working to limit access to gender-affirming treatments for transgender children and adults.

Missouri's attorney general last week introduced a first-of-its-kind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-health-care-andrew-baily-65c388ae85f610a2a885e2dff486bfe8">emergency rule</a>&nbsp;imposing numerous restrictions on both adults and children before they can receive puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgeries “for the purpose of transitioning gender.”

Bills to ban gender-affirming health care for minors are advancing in the legislature.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681813554284.png" alt="Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jamie Burger, of Benton, said allowing transgender girls to play with other girls will “wipe out female sports as we know it.”-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jamie Burger, of Benton, said allowing transgender girls to play with other girls will “wipe out female sports as we know it.”-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Transgender girls and women would no longer be allowed to play on the same team as other girls and women under a bill passed Monday in Missouri's Republican-led House.Lawmakers voted 104-46 to send the measure to the GOP-led Senate, which passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-care-sports-missouri-d4297eebf904ef58c0fb1dabed93e331">similar legislation earlier this year</a>.The ban would apply to student athletes in grade 6 through college, including teams at private schools. Public K-12 schools and colleges would lose state funding for allowing transgender girls to play sports with other girls.Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jamie Burger, of Benton, said allowing transgender girls to play with other girls will “wipe out female sports as we know it.”“Biological males are bigger. They are stronger. They are faster," Burger said on the House floor late Monday. “The majority of women simply cannot compete.”Democratic Rep. Keri Ingle, of Lee's Summit, said children “don't harbor our fears and our ignorance, and thank God for that.”“We can't bear the thought of kids who are different playing with our kids, can we?” she said before voting against the bill.The Missouri bill is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-north-carolina-supermajority-cotham-7ef9957354df1af18d89ca34c891ff27">hundreds drafted by Republican lawmakers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. this year to push back on LGBTQ+ freedoms, especially targeting transgender people’s everyday lives — including sports, health care, bathrooms, workplaces and schools.At least 20 states have imposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-ban-kansas-08604c663518fb2538565f3e1ac3d4ba">restrictions on transgender athletes</a>.Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/Official%20Handbook.pdf">current public high school sports rules already prohibit</a>&nbsp;transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they have undergone at least a year of hormone therapy and continue taking medication to maintain their hormone levels.The Missouri State High School Activities Association requires transgender athletes to apply and submit documentation of medical care in order to compete as the gender they identify with.A spokesperson for the association has said 13 students have been approved since the organization adopted the rules in 2012, including only four transgender girls.Missouri Republicans also have been working to limit access to gender-affirming treatments for transgender children and adults.Missouri's attorney general last week introduced a first-of-its-kind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-transgender-health-care-andrew-baily-65c388ae85f610a2a885e2dff486bfe8">emergency rule</a>&nbsp;imposing numerous restrictions on both adults and children before they can receive puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgeries “for the purpose of transitioning gender.”Bills to ban gender-affirming health care for minors are advancing in the legislature.

Missouri House votes to limit transgender student athletes

Washington– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall on Monday released the new bombshell COVID-19 Origins report that has been in the works for over two years. This report is published in conjunction with the Muddy Waters Group, Dr. Bob Kadlec and Dr. Bob Foster.

<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/MWG-FDR-Document-04-17-23.pdf">Click here to read the full report</a>

“This report is a crucial development in getting to the bottom of COVID-19’s true origins and exposing the deception of those that sought to conceal how this pandemic started,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“A preponderance of evidence in this report suggests there were two separate unintentional lab leaks dating back to fall of 2019 in Wuhan, China with significant evidence supporting that COVID-19 was a lab-created and altered virus.”&nbsp;

“We have to understand what happened in order to make sure this never happens again,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“China has had every opportunity to disprove all of the reports surrounding the origins of Covid-19, but they have not and will not.”&nbsp;

“This report also concludes that the CCP was responding to the coronavirus months before the rest of the world was even aware of its existence, yet China failed to inform the global community of the unfolding disaster,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“While today’s new report reaffirms much of my previously stated findings on COVID-19’s origins, we still need more transparency from the U.S. government-specifically the NIH- and China. We must also stop Gain of Function research until we can establish additional guardrails to make sure risky lethal research never leaks again,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;

This 300-page report is the cumulation of findings and research conducted for more than two years. The report has over 1500 citations to corroborate its findings.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/MWG-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY-4.17-Final-Version1.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read an executive summary of the report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681782412536.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Washington– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall on Monday released the new bombshell COVID-19 Origins report that has been in the works for over two years. This report is published in conjunction with the Muddy Waters Group, Dr. Bob Kadlec and Dr. Bob Foster.<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/MWG-FDR-Document-04-17-23.pdf">Click here to read the full report</a>“This report is a crucial development in getting to the bottom of COVID-19’s true origins and exposing the deception of those that sought to conceal how this pandemic started,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“A preponderance of evidence in this report suggests there were two separate unintentional lab leaks dating back to fall of 2019 in Wuhan, China with significant evidence supporting that COVID-19 was a lab-created and altered virus.”&nbsp;“We have to understand what happened in order to make sure this never happens again,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“China has had every opportunity to disprove all of the reports surrounding the origins of Covid-19, but they have not and will not.”&nbsp;“This report also concludes that the CCP was responding to the coronavirus months before the rest of the world was even aware of its existence, yet China failed to inform the global community of the unfolding disaster,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“While today’s new report reaffirms much of my previously stated findings on COVID-19’s origins, we still need more transparency from the U.S. government-specifically the NIH- and China. We must also stop Gain of Function research until we can establish additional guardrails to make sure risky lethal research never leaks again,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;This 300-page report is the cumulation of findings and research conducted for more than two years. The report has over 1500 citations to corroborate its findings.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/MWG-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY-4.17-Final-Version1.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read an executive summary of the report.

Senator Marshall: 2 lab leaks possibly triggered COVID-19

KANSAS CITY —Two Kansas City siblings face charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Keith E. Martin, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

David L. Randall, 29, and Darren L. Randall, 31, each face Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 6400 block of Manchester Avenue on April 4, 2023, on a reported shooting. Video surveillance helped detectives identify these defendants in this shooting. This case was filed under seal, which has now been removed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681607323755.png" alt="Darren Randall-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Darren Randall-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Two Kansas City siblings face charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Keith E. Martin, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.David L. Randall, 29, and Darren L. Randall, 31, each face Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681607364990.png" alt="David Randall-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>David Randall-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 6400 block of Manchester Avenue on April 4, 2023, on a reported shooting. Video surveillance helped detectives identify these defendants in this shooting. This case was filed under seal, which has now been removed.

Video surveillance shows brothers at scene of KC murder

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Tennessee man was arrested after a high-speed chase through parts of Saline County.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday, a deputy near the Assaria exit on Interstate 135 south of Salina observed a black 2022 Toyota Camry driving northbound on the interstate at a high rate of speed, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The deputy radioed another deputy, who was further north near the West Crawford Street exit on Interstate 135, that a Camry traveling at a high rate of speed was headed that way. 

The Camry registered 110 mph on radar as it sped by the West Crawford Street exit, and the deputy began pursuing the car.. As the Camry went through the construction zone, it knocked over several cones marking the lane.

At the Interstate 135-Interstate 70 interchange, the Camry traveled west and the Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. The Camry then turned north onto N. Halstead Road. Soldan said the Camry was traveling up to 131 mph on N. Halstead Road, according to KHP radar.

The car then turned east on the gravel West Shipton Road and stopped.

The driver, Kilakone Southavilay, 29, of Cordova, Tennessee., was arrested on requested charges Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Speeding and Improper driving on laned roadways.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681731456662.jpeg" alt="Kilakone Southavilay-photo&nbsp;Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Kilakone Southavilay-photo&nbsp;Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Tennessee man was arrested after a high-speed chase through parts of Saline County.Just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday, a deputy near the Assaria exit on Interstate 135 south of Salina observed a black 2022 Toyota Camry driving northbound on the interstate at a high rate of speed, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The deputy radioed another deputy, who was further north near the West Crawford Street exit on Interstate 135, that a Camry traveling at a high rate of speed was headed that way. The Camry registered 110 mph on radar as it sped by the West Crawford Street exit, and the deputy began pursuing the car.. As the Camry went through the construction zone, it knocked over several cones marking the lane.At the Interstate 135-Interstate 70 interchange, the Camry traveled west and the Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit. The Camry then turned north onto N. Halstead Road. Soldan said the Camry was traveling up to 131 mph on N. Halstead Road, according to KHP radar.The car then turned east on the gravel West Shipton Road and stopped.The driver, Kilakone Southavilay, 29, of Cordova, Tennessee., was arrested on requested charges Felony flee and elude, Reckless driving, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Speeding and Improper driving on laned roadways.

Sheriff: Suspect jailed after 130mph Kansas chase

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 43-year-old male in the 700 block of N. Ash on Sunday night.

1130p.m. Sunday, police responded to a shooting at a home in&nbsp;the 700 block of N. Ash, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

 On arrival, they located a 43-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the torso. EMS transported him to an area hospital with critical injuries but he is expected to survive, according to Macy.

Investigators have identified a 31-year-old female suspect who lives at the home with the victim. The suspect had left the scene prior to officers arrival, and investigators are in the process of locating her

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 43-year-old male in the 700 block of N. Ash on Sunday night.1130p.m. Sunday, police responded to a shooting at a home in&nbsp;the 700 block of N. Ash, according to Officer Trevor Macy. On arrival, they located a 43-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the torso. EMS transported him to an area hospital with critical injuries but he is expected to survive, according to Macy.Investigators have identified a 31-year-old female suspect who lives at the home with the victim. The suspect had left the scene prior to officers arrival, and investigators are in the process of locating her

Police work to locate woman who shot man at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An 85-year-old white man who shot a Black teen at his front door in Kansas City, Missouri, last week has been charged with armed assault, the Clay County prosecutor said Monday.

Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that Andrew Lester shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital on Sunday.

When asked if anything was said that made Thompson believe that the case was racially motivated, Thompson said nothing like that is indicated in charging documents.

“We understand how frustrating this has been but I can assure the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said at a news conference.

Yarl was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers last week when he approached the wrong house. Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the head -- then shot him again.

Community leaders and an attorney for Yarl’s family are demanding justice for the Black teen, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital on Sunday, and they are questioning whether race played a role in the shooting.

The shooter was taken into custody Thursday but released the next day after consultation with the prosecutor’s office, Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a news conference on Sunday. The firearm used was found at the home, she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An 85-year-old white man who shot a Black teen at his front door in Kansas City, Missouri, last week has been charged with armed assault, the Clay County prosecutor said Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Doug and I are praying for Ralph Yarl and his family as he fights for his life. Let&#39;s be clear: No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell. Every child deserves to be safe. That’s the America we are fighting for.&mdash; Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1648046091764486151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that Andrew Lester shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital on Sunday.When asked if anything was said that made Thompson believe that the case was racially motivated, Thompson said nothing like that is indicated in charging documents.“We understand how frustrating this has been but I can assure the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said at a news conference.Yarl was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers last week when he approached the wrong house. Lester came to the door and shot Yarl in the head -- then shot him again.Community leaders and an attorney for Yarl’s family are demanding justice for the Black teen, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital on Sunday, and they are questioning whether race played a role in the shooting.The shooter was taken into custody Thursday but released the next day after consultation with the prosecutor’s office, Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a news conference on Sunday. The firearm used was found at the home, she said.Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said in a statement Monday that the homeowner should immediately be arrested for what he called a “heinous and hate-filled crime.”The Missouri Senate held a moment of silence for Yarl on Monday. “We pray for justice,” Democratic Sen. Lauren Arthur said.The shooting happened Thursday night in a middle class neighborhood in north Kansas City. Yarl was sent to pick up his twin younger brothers. He didn't have a phone with him and went to the wrong block, his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help pay medical bills. By Monday afternoon, $1.4 million had been raised.Graves said that Yarl's parents asked him to pick up his brothers at a home on 115th Terrace, but he mistakenly went to 115th Street, the Kansas City Star reported.Spoonmore wrote that Yarl pulled into the driveway and rang the doorbell.“The man in the home opened the door, looked my nephew in the eye, and shot him in the head,” Spoonmore wrote. When Yarl fell to the ground, “the man shot him again.”Spoonmore wrote that Yarl approached three different homes "before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up.” The AP could not independently confirm this account.Yarl is a bass clarinetist who earned Missouri All-State Band honorable mention and who plays several instruments in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Kansas City, Spoonmore wrote. A statement from the North Kansas City School District described Yarl as “an excellent student and talented musician.”Yarl was released from the hospital Sunday and is recovering at home, his father, Paul Yarl, told the Kansas City Star. Spoonmore said Yarl is “doing well physically” but has a lot of trauma to overcome emotionally.Police have not identified the shooter or his race, though civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the family provided information indicating he was white. He did not elaborate.By Monday afternoon, the home where the shooting happened had been vandalized. Black spray-paint on the side of the house showed a heart with “16” in the middle. Eggs splattered the front windows and the door.The shooting has caught the attention of national figures.Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on Twitter that she and her husband were praying for Yarl.“Let’s be clear: No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell," Harris tweeted.Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., wrote on Twiter that "the man who did this should be charged AND we need to work for the legislative and heart change to prevent these tragedies.”Graves said investigators will consider whether the suspect was protected by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trayvon-martin-florida-homicide-gun-politics-3907568281565b8cc191fcc66aadf318">“Stand Your Ground”</a>&nbsp;laws, which allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense. Missouri is among around 30 states with such laws.“These laws breed a society of violence and fear while providing cover for those who harm, maim and kill others,” state Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis Democrat who chairs the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, said in a statement.A message seeking comment from Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a staunch gun rights supporters, wasn’t immediately returned.Crump, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trayvon-martin-death-of-george-floyd-florida-race-and-ethnicity-michael-brown-96d01a255bebe5762a9bf356768a5e5c">represented families</a>&nbsp;in several high-profile case of Black people being shot, including those of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/Trayvon-Martin-death-10-years-later-c68f12130b2992d9c1ba31ec1a398cdd">Trayvon Martin</a>, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, called it “asinine” that charges have to wait for an interview with Yarl.“We all believe that if the roles were reversed and this was a Black citizen who shot a 16-year-old for merely ringing his doorbell, they would have arrested him, and he wouldn’t have slept in his bed that night,” Crump said.Two days after Yarl was shot, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-shooting-wrong-driveway-new-york-dd45b17e3a806abf11d1aaf5b235fb13">20-year-old woman was killed</a>&nbsp;by a homeowner in Upstate New York Saturday after the car she was in drove to the wrong address. Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said Kaylin Gillis was in a car with three others looking for a friend’s house.As the car was turning around, Kevin Monahan came out and fired two shots, one of which struck Gillis. Monahan was charged with second-degree murder.