A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Black teenager who was shot in the head after mistakenly ringing the doorbell of the wrong home in Kansas City, Missouri. The seven-page lawsuit, filed by the teenager's mother, accuses the shooter, an 85-year-old man named Andrew Lester, and the residential homeowners association of 'careless and negligent conduct.'
The incident occurred when the teenager, now 17, went to the wrong home while trying to pick up his younger siblings. After ringing the doorbell, he was shot in the head and arm by Lester. The lawsuit alleges that the teenager never posed a threat to Lester and that the homeowners association should have been aware of Lester's propensity for violence and racial animus.
Lester, who has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, claimed he opened fire because he was 'scared to death' due to the teenager's size. The teenager survived with serious injuries and is expected to make a full recovery, although there may be long-term brain issues.
The shooting raised questions about anti-Black racism and highlighted a series of cases where individuals were shot or killed after mistakenly going to the wrong location. Lester was initially released after the shooting but was later arrested following public outcry.
The civil lawsuit seeks damages for the teenager's permanent injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses. The trial for criminal charges against Lester is set to begin in October.
