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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

<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.

Man charged in shooting of Black KC teen at his front door

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Cindy Powers was driven into bankruptcy by 19 life-saving abdominal operations. Medical debt started stacking up for Lindsey Vance after she crashed her skateboard and had to get nine stitches in her chin. And for Misty Castaneda, open heart surgery for a disease she'd had since birth saddled her with $200,000 in bills.

These are three of an estimated 100 million Americans who have amassed nearly $200 billion in collective medical debt — almost the size of Greece’s economy — according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Now lawmakers in at least a dozen states and the U.S. Congress have pushed legislation to curtail the financial burden that’s pushed many into untenable situations: forgoing needed care for fear of added debt, taking a second mortgage to pay for cancer treatment or slashing grocery budgets to keep up with payments.

Some of the bills would create medical debt relief programs or protect personal property from collections, while others would lower interest rates, keep medical debt from tanking credit scores or require greater transparency in the costs of care.

In Colorado, House lawmakers approved a measure Wednesday that would lower the maximum interest rate for medical debt to 3%, require greater transparency in costs of treatment and prohibit debt collection during an appeals process.

If it became law, Colorado would join Arizona in having one of the lowest medical debt interest rates in the country. North Carolina lawmakers have also started mulling a 5% interest ceiling.

But there are opponents. Colorado Republican state Sen. Janice Rich said she worried that the proposal could “constrain hospitals’ debt collecting ability and hurt their cash flow.”

For patients, medical debt has become a leading cause of personal bankruptcy, with an estimated $88 billion of that debt in collections nationwide, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Roughly 530,000 people reported falling into bankruptcy annually due partly to medical bills and time away from work, according to a 2019 study from the American Journal of Public Health.

Powers’ family ended up owing $250,000 for the 19 life-saving abdominal surgeries. They declared bankruptcy in 2009, then the bank foreclosed on their home.

“Only recently have we begun to pick up the pieces,” said James Powers, Cindy’s husband, during his February testimony in favor of Colorado's bill.

In Pennsylvania and Arizona, lawmakers are considering medical debt relief programs that would use state funds to help eradicate debt for residents. A New Jersey proposal would use federal funds from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-costs-boston-toledo-e423c64c1322bc8e4254b7a70b1da50c">American Rescue Plan Act</a>&nbsp;to achieve the same end.

Bills in Florida and Massachusetts would protect some personal property — such as a car that is needed for work — from medical debt collections and force providers to be more transparent about costs. Florida’s legislation received unanimous approval in House and Senate committees on its way to votes in both chambers.

In Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts and the U.S. Congress lawmakers are contemplating bills that would bar medical debt from being included on consumer reports, thereby protecting debtors' credit scores.

Castaneda, who was born with a congenital heart defect, found herself $200,000 in debt when she was 23 and had to have surgery. The debt tanked her credit score and, she said, forced her to rely on her emotionally abusive husband's credit.

For over a decade Castaneda wanted out of the relationship, but everything they owned was in her husband's name, making it nearly impossible to break away. She finally divorced her husband in 2017.

“I’m trying to play catch-up for the last 20 years,” said Castaneda, 45, a hairstylist from Grand Junction on Colorado's Western Slope.

Medical debt isn't a strong indicator of people's credit-worthiness, said Isabel Cruz, policy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

While buying a car beyond your means or overspending on vacation can partly be chalked up to poor decision making, medical debt often comes from short, acute-care treatments that are unexpected — leaving patients with hefty bills that exceed their budgets.

For both Colorado bills — to limit interest rates and remove medical debt from consumer reports — a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said the governor will “review these policies with a lens towards saving people money on health care.”

While neither bill garnered stiff political opposition, a spokesperson for the Colorado Hospital Association said the organization is working with sponsors to amend the interest rate bill “to align the legislation with the multitude of existing protections.”

The association did not provide further details.

To Vance, protecting her credit score early could have had a major impact. Vance’s medical debt began at age 19 from the skateboard crash, and then was compounded when she broke her arm soon after. Now 39, she has never been able to qualify for a credit card or car loan. Her in-laws cosigned for her Colorado apartment.

“My credit identity was medical debt,” she said, “and that set the tone for my life.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Cindy Powers was driven into bankruptcy by 19 life-saving abdominal operations. Medical debt started stacking up for Lindsey Vance after she crashed her skateboard and had to get nine stitches in her chin. And for Misty Castaneda, open heart surgery for a disease she'd had since birth saddled her with $200,000 in bills.These are three of an estimated 100 million Americans who have amassed nearly $200 billion in collective medical debt — almost the size of Greece’s economy — according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.Now lawmakers in at least a dozen states and the U.S. Congress have pushed legislation to curtail the financial burden that’s pushed many into untenable situations: forgoing needed care for fear of added debt, taking a second mortgage to pay for cancer treatment or slashing grocery budgets to keep up with payments.Some of the bills would create medical debt relief programs or protect personal property from collections, while others would lower interest rates, keep medical debt from tanking credit scores or require greater transparency in the costs of care.In Colorado, House lawmakers approved a measure Wednesday that would lower the maximum interest rate for medical debt to 3%, require greater transparency in costs of treatment and prohibit debt collection during an appeals process.If it became law, Colorado would join Arizona in having one of the lowest medical debt interest rates in the country. North Carolina lawmakers have also started mulling a 5% interest ceiling.But there are opponents. Colorado Republican state Sen. Janice Rich said she worried that the proposal could “constrain hospitals’ debt collecting ability and hurt their cash flow.”For patients, medical debt has become a leading cause of personal bankruptcy, with an estimated $88 billion of that debt in collections nationwide, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Roughly 530,000 people reported falling into bankruptcy annually due partly to medical bills and time away from work, according to a 2019 study from the American Journal of Public Health.Powers’ family ended up owing $250,000 for the 19 life-saving abdominal surgeries. They declared bankruptcy in 2009, then the bank foreclosed on their home.“Only recently have we begun to pick up the pieces,” said James Powers, Cindy’s husband, during his February testimony in favor of Colorado's bill.In Pennsylvania and Arizona, lawmakers are considering medical debt relief programs that would use state funds to help eradicate debt for residents. A New Jersey proposal would use federal funds from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-costs-boston-toledo-e423c64c1322bc8e4254b7a70b1da50c">American Rescue Plan Act</a>&nbsp;to achieve the same end.Bills in Florida and Massachusetts would protect some personal property — such as a car that is needed for work — from medical debt collections and force providers to be more transparent about costs. Florida’s legislation received unanimous approval in House and Senate committees on its way to votes in both chambers.In Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts and the U.S. Congress lawmakers are contemplating bills that would bar medical debt from being included on consumer reports, thereby protecting debtors' credit scores.Castaneda, who was born with a congenital heart defect, found herself $200,000 in debt when she was 23 and had to have surgery. The debt tanked her credit score and, she said, forced her to rely on her emotionally abusive husband's credit.For over a decade Castaneda wanted out of the relationship, but everything they owned was in her husband's name, making it nearly impossible to break away. She finally divorced her husband in 2017.“I’m trying to play catch-up for the last 20 years,” said Castaneda, 45, a hairstylist from Grand Junction on Colorado's Western Slope.Medical debt isn't a strong indicator of people's credit-worthiness, said Isabel Cruz, policy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.While buying a car beyond your means or overspending on vacation can partly be chalked up to poor decision making, medical debt often comes from short, acute-care treatments that are unexpected — leaving patients with hefty bills that exceed their budgets.For both Colorado bills — to limit interest rates and remove medical debt from consumer reports — a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said the governor will “review these policies with a lens towards saving people money on health care.”While neither bill garnered stiff political opposition, a spokesperson for the Colorado Hospital Association said the organization is working with sponsors to amend the interest rate bill “to align the legislation with the multitude of existing protections.”The association did not provide further details.To Vance, protecting her credit score early could have had a major impact. Vance’s medical debt began at age 19 from the skateboard crash, and then was compounded when she broke her arm soon after. Now 39, she has never been able to qualify for a credit card or car loan. Her in-laws cosigned for her Colorado apartment.“My credit identity was medical debt,” she said, “and that set the tone for my life.”

States confront medical debt that's bankrupting millions

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill unanimously passed by the Kansas Legislature to remove the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution and extend opportunity to file lawsuits related to allegations of childhood abuse.

A coalition of women joined with legislators to keep the bill alive during the 2023 session when it appeared on the verge of falling by the wayside. The statutory changes were placed in a rewrite of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rc2xlZ2lzbGF0dXJlLm9yZy9saS9iMjAyM18yNC9tZWFzdXJlcy9oYjIxMjcvIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDQxNy43NTI5MDQwMSJ9.bJhTdkKEzuTH4nFCLl15eq2lRnPi34oz_IDR7sm35Rw/s/1303160910/br/159237330987-l">House Bill 2127,&nbsp;</a>which then passed the Senate 40-0 in March and the House 120-0 in April.

“This bill would not be possible without the tireless work of survivors across the state who fought for their voices to be heard. I thank them for their bravery,” Kelly said Monday in a statement.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, said it was important to remove in Kansas law the statute of limitations on prosecuting alleged childhood sexual abuse. Going forward, the statute would treat these cases in the same manner as allegations of murder or terrorism.

In terms of lawsuits seeking financial damages, the legal standard in Kansas would allow filing of cases within 13 years of a victim turning 18 years of age or within three years after criminal conviction of an offender.

“It has been a tough and long-fought battle,” Holscher said. “This is breakthrough legislation that will keep our children and communities safer.”

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2016_02_0000.pdf">Kelly also signed House Bill 2016</a>&nbsp;to provide a pathway for businesses to address potential Americans for Disabilities Act flaws with access to company websites. The idea of the bill was to deter “abusive” lawsuits filed against businesses by out-of-state law firms seeking financial settlements of purported problems with ADA accessibility to those sites. Critics contended the initial version of the bill would have undermined legitimate suits.

Kelly signed a compromise bill enabling Attorney General Kris Kobach to file countersuits challenging legitimacy of cases brought against Kansas businesses. Kansas businesses would have 90 days to correct information presented or absent from websites.

The reform wouldn’t prevent a person from asserting a right to equal access to public accommodations guaranteed by the ADA, said Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican and attorney.

Kelly formally signed the ADA and child abuse bills Friday, but didn’t release that information until Monday in a statement outlining her signing of three relatively minor bills.

Kelly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2160_02_0000.pdf">approved House Bill 2160</a>, which was developed to make it easier for cotton producers to haul large loads to market. Concerns about adoption of state law out of compliance with federal safety standards and risking $17 million in federal funding were resolved during development of the bill.

She welcomed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2326_02_0000.pdf">House Bill 2326</a>&nbsp;to extend the life of the state’s scrap metal law. Given the flurry of catalytic converter thefts, the bill included a prohibition on scrap metal dealers from buying vehicle exhaust devices from anyone other than an authorized seller. The intent was to deter trafficking of catalytic converters with defaced identification marks.

The governor also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2323_01_0000.pdf">House Bill 2323</a>&nbsp;to regulate property transfer agreements of fire districts in Johnson County when district property was annexed by a city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677614820776.png" alt="The Kansas House and Senate unanimously passed the bill-file photo from State of the State addresss" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas House and Senate unanimously passed the bill-file photo from State of the State addresss</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill unanimously passed by the Kansas Legislature to remove the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution and extend opportunity to file lawsuits related to allegations of childhood abuse.A coalition of women joined with legislators to keep the bill alive during the 2023 session when it appeared on the verge of falling by the wayside. The statutory changes were placed in a rewrite of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9rc2xlZ2lzbGF0dXJlLm9yZy9saS9iMjAyM18yNC9tZWFzdXJlcy9oYjIxMjcvIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDQxNy43NTI5MDQwMSJ9.bJhTdkKEzuTH4nFCLl15eq2lRnPi34oz_IDR7sm35Rw/s/1303160910/br/159237330987-l">House Bill 2127,&nbsp;</a>which then passed the Senate 40-0 in March and the House 120-0 in April.“This bill would not be possible without the tireless work of survivors across the state who fought for their voices to be heard. I thank them for their bravery,” Kelly said Monday in a statement.Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, said it was important to remove in Kansas law the statute of limitations on prosecuting alleged childhood sexual abuse. Going forward, the statute would treat these cases in the same manner as allegations of murder or terrorism.In terms of lawsuits seeking financial damages, the legal standard in Kansas would allow filing of cases within 13 years of a victim turning 18 years of age or within three years after criminal conviction of an offender.“It has been a tough and long-fought battle,” Holscher said. “This is breakthrough legislation that will keep our children and communities safer.”Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2016_02_0000.pdf">Kelly also signed House Bill 2016</a>&nbsp;to provide a pathway for businesses to address potential Americans for Disabilities Act flaws with access to company websites. The idea of the bill was to deter “abusive” lawsuits filed against businesses by out-of-state law firms seeking financial settlements of purported problems with ADA accessibility to those sites. Critics contended the initial version of the bill would have undermined legitimate suits.Kelly signed a compromise bill enabling Attorney General Kris Kobach to file countersuits challenging legitimacy of cases brought against Kansas businesses. Kansas businesses would have 90 days to correct information presented or absent from websites.The reform wouldn’t prevent a person from asserting a right to equal access to public accommodations guaranteed by the ADA, said Rep. Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican and attorney.Kelly formally signed the ADA and child abuse bills Friday, but didn’t release that information until Monday in a statement outlining her signing of three relatively minor bills.Kelly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2160_02_0000.pdf">approved House Bill 2160</a>, which was developed to make it easier for cotton producers to haul large loads to market. Concerns about adoption of state law out of compliance with federal safety standards and risking $17 million in federal funding were resolved during development of the bill.She welcomed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2326_02_0000.pdf">House Bill 2326</a>&nbsp;to extend the life of the state’s scrap metal law. Given the flurry of catalytic converter thefts, the bill included a prohibition on scrap metal dealers from buying vehicle exhaust devices from anyone other than an authorized seller. The intent was to deter trafficking of catalytic converters with defaced identification marks.The governor also signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2323_01_0000.pdf">House Bill 2323</a>&nbsp;to regulate property transfer agreements of fire districts in Johnson County when district property was annexed by a city.

Kansas governor signs sexual abuse reform bill 

KINGMAN COUNTY —Emergency crews were busy Saturday night in Kingman County. 

Just after 11:40p.m., a 911 call was placed for a possible semi on fire in the area of Highway 54 and NE 150 Avenue. The truck was full of frozen pizza and wontons, according to Kingman County Emergency Management Director Macay Ewy.

 When crews arrived they found tractor trailer with fire extending into the trailer.&nbsp;

Cheney Fire, Kingman County Sheriff’s Office, Kingman Ems, Kingman Fire and Kingman County Emergency Management. Around 5a.m. Sunday, crews were still working on unloading what was left of the trailer cargo. There were no injuries and the cause may never be determined, according to Ewy because was destroyed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681727078507.png" alt="Photos Kingman County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kingman County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGMAN COUNTY —Emergency crews were busy Saturday night in Kingman County. Just after 11:40p.m., a 911 call was placed for a possible semi on fire in the area of Highway 54 and NE 150 Avenue. The truck was full of frozen pizza and wontons, according to Kingman County Emergency Management Director Macay Ewy. When crews arrived they found tractor trailer with fire extending into the trailer.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681727108623.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cheney Fire, Kingman County Sheriff’s Office, Kingman Ems, Kingman Fire and Kingman County Emergency Management. Around 5a.m. Sunday, crews were still working on unloading what was left of the trailer cargo. There were no injuries and the cause may never be determined, according to Ewy because was destroyed.

Semi full of pizza, wontons destroyed in Kansas fire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A sixteen-year-old boy was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers last week when he rang the doorbell of the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, house. A man came to the door and shot Ralph Yarl in the head -- then shot him again after he fell to the ground.

Yarl stumbled to one house, then another, and then a third before anyone helped the Black teen, who was released from the hospital Sunday and is recovering at home. Now community leaders, Democratic lawmakers and an attorney for Yarl’s family are demanding justice and questioning whether race played a role in the shooting.

Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said his office is working with police to quickly review the case and determine if the homeowner should be charged. He did not address whether race was a factor in the shooting; the Kansas City police chief said that, so far, race does not appear to be a factor.

“We understand how frustrating this has been, but we can assure the public that the system is working,” Thompson said in a statement. “As with any serious case submitted to our office, we will approach this case in an objective and impartial manner.”

At a news conference on Sunday, Police Chief Stacey Graves said the shooter was taken into custody Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold but released after consultation with the prosecutor’s office. The firearm used was found at the home, she said.

“The state of Missouri, specifically the Kansas City metropolitan area, remains one of the most unsafe locations for Black people in the country,” Howard 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 from 37,000 donations.

Spoonmore wrote that Yarl ran to three different homes "before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up.”

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. He maintains a stellar GPA while taking mostly college level courses. While he loves science and hopes to pursue that career path, his passion is music.”

Crump told The Associated Press that Yarl is “like the child you would want to call your own.”

“He is our miracle,” she said. “We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most Black boys are not alive to get another chance."

Police have not identified the shooter or his race, though Crump said the family provided information indicating he was white. He did not elaborate. Information that officials have now does not point to race as a factor in the shooting, according to Graves, but that remains under investigation.

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. Another showed what appeared to be Yarl's initials with “16” below the letters. Eggs splattered the front windows and the door.

“Let’s be for justice, which is a continuum,” Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., wrote on Twiter. "That means the man who did this should be charged AND we need to work for the legislative and heart change to prevent these tragedies.”

“His name is #RalphYarl and I'm sick and tired of this feeling ... my heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head,” actress Halle Berry tweeted.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said Missouri's lenient gun laws have created an us-versus-them mentality and "too often, Black lives suffer the most from this fear-driven, shoot-first culture.”

Because of the teen’s injuries, Graves said, police haven’t been able to get a victim statement. 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 cases, 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.

Prosecutions of shootings cases in which the defendants claimed self-defense have seen mixed results.

Martin was walking home from a convenience store in February 2012 in Sanford, Florida, when he was killed by George Zimmerman, who claimed self-defense and was later acquitted during a jury trial. Martin’s death helped lead to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In Michigan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-crime-shootings-michigan-detroit-4495fe92a5c152ab707f74bcc6cb2f04">Ted Wafer</a>&nbsp;is serving a 17-year prison sentence in the 2013 death of Renisha McBride in suburban Detroit. The 19-year-old Black woman was on the porch of Wafer's home when he shot her. Wafer is white. Prosecutors speculated that McBride, who was drunk and had crashed her car hours earlier, might have been confused when she arrived on Wafer’s porch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681755199173.png" alt="Protests Sunday in support of Ralph Yarl -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protests Sunday in support of Ralph Yarl -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A sixteen-year-old boy was supposed to pick up his two younger brothers last week when he rang the doorbell of the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, house. A man came to the door and shot Ralph Yarl in the head -- then shot him again after he fell to the ground.Yarl stumbled to one house, then another, and then a third before anyone helped the Black teen, who was released from the hospital Sunday and is recovering at home. Now community leaders, Democratic lawmakers and an attorney for Yarl’s family are demanding justice and questioning whether race played a role in the shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Yarl-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Yarl-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said his office is working with police to quickly review the case and determine if the homeowner should be charged. He did not address whether race was a factor in the shooting; the Kansas City police chief said that, so far, race does not appear to be a factor.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nf36y-cover-medical-expenses">Click here to view</a>&nbsp;the the GoFundMe to assist the family“We understand how frustrating this has been, but we can assure the public that the system is working,” Thompson said in a statement. “As with any serious case submitted to our office, we will approach this case in an objective and impartial manner.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Chief Graves spoke with media regarding updates in the case involving the juvenile who was shot Thursday night. <a href="https://t.co/ZTHPbwWcto">pic.twitter.com/ZTHPbwWcto</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1647716769073860608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At a news conference on Sunday, Police Chief Stacey Graves said the shooter was taken into custody Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold but released after consultation with the prosecutor’s office. 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 state of Missouri, specifically the Kansas City metropolitan area, remains one of the most unsafe locations for Black people in the country,” Howard 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 from 37,000 donations.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 ran to three different homes "before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up.”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. He maintains a stellar GPA while taking mostly college level courses. While he loves science and hopes to pursue that career path, his passion is music.”Crump told The Associated Press that Yarl is “like the child you would want to call your own.”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.“He is our miracle,” she said. “We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most Black boys are not alive to get another chance."Police have not identified the shooter or his race, though Crump said the family provided information indicating he was white. He did not elaborate. Information that officials have now does not point to race as a factor in the shooting, according to Graves, but that remains under investigation.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. Another showed what appeared to be Yarl's initials with “16” below the letters. Eggs splattered the front windows and the door.The shooting has caught the attention of national figures.“Let’s be for justice, which is a continuum,” Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., wrote on Twiter. "That means the man who did this should be charged AND we need to work for the legislative and heart change to prevent these tragedies.”“His name is #RalphYarl and I'm sick and tired of this feeling ... my heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head,” actress Halle Berry tweeted.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.Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said Missouri's lenient gun laws have created an us-versus-them mentality and "too often, Black lives suffer the most from this fear-driven, shoot-first culture.”A message seeking comment from Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a staunch gun rights supporters, wasn’t immediately returned.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Like many, I am heartbroken and angered by the recent shooting of a child in our community who simply came to a doorstep to pick up his younger siblings. This never should have happened.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1647735414898270208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Because of the teen’s injuries, Graves said, police haven’t been able to get a victim statement. 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 cases, 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.Prosecutions of shootings cases in which the defendants claimed self-defense have seen mixed results.Martin was walking home from a convenience store in February 2012 in Sanford, Florida, when he was killed by George Zimmerman, who claimed self-defense and was later acquitted during a jury trial. Martin’s death helped lead to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.In Michigan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-crime-shootings-michigan-detroit-4495fe92a5c152ab707f74bcc6cb2f04">Ted Wafer</a>&nbsp;is serving a 17-year prison sentence in the 2013 death of Renisha McBride in suburban Detroit. The 19-year-old Black woman was on the porch of Wafer's home when he shot her. Wafer is white. Prosecutors speculated that McBride, who was drunk and had crashed her car hours earlier, might have been confused when she arrived on Wafer’s porch.------------