Over $2.6 million dollars in donations has been raised for a teenager who was shot in the head after ringing the wrong doorbell by accident.
Ralph Yarl, 16, had been picking up his brothers from a friend's house in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13 when he accidentally rang the doorbell of the wrong house.
The homeowner, 84-year-old Andrew D. Lester, responded by shooting the teenager in the head and shot him for a second time in the arm after he had fallen to the ground.
According to Yarl's family, the teenager had to knock on three other doors to ask for help before someone agreed to help him and he was taken to hospital.
Yarl was taken to hospital with a "life-threatening injury" before being declared stable, and was released four days later to continue his recovery at home.
Police were also called after the gunshots were heard and Lester has been charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of armed criminal action.
After news of the incident went public, a GoFundMe was set up by Yarl's aunt to pay for his medical bills and therapy, with any extra money going towards his college education and a trip to West Africa.
Over $2.6 million had been raised at the time of writing, with almost 70,000 people having donated after being moved by the horrific incident.
The GoFundMe states: "Last summer, Ralph attended Missouri Scholar’s Academy, where he got a full college life experience. His goal is to attend Texas A&M to major in chemical Engineering. When asked how he plans to get into this university, he said, 'Well, if they have a scholarship for music or academics, I know I can get it.'
"Ralph's teacher and friends describe him as 'a kind soul,' 'quiet,' 'friendly,' 'well-mannered,' 'always willing to help,' 'super smart,' and a 'musical genius.'
"Ralph was looking forward to graduating high school and finally getting the opportunity to visit West Africa before starting college."
His aunt added: "Life looks a lot different right now. Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally. The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance.
"Ralph deserves to have the future that he has dreams about. He deserves to be the light that shows the world that LOVE wins and that humanity is still Good. However, he will need a lot of help to get there. Funds from this account will be used for his medical bills and therapy.
"Any additional funds will be use for college expenses at Texas A&M, a trip to West Africa, and other expenses."
Lester could face spending the rest of his life in prison after being charged with first-degree assault, with prosecutor Zachary Thompson saying in a statement: "My heart goes out to the child and family involved in this case.
"The probable cause statement indicates the rounds were fired through a glass door. As the prosecutor of Clay County, I can tell you there was a racial component to the case."
He added in a press conference on Monday (April 17): "My message to the community is that, in Clay County, we enforce the laws and we follow the laws.
"That doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like, or how much money you have."
Yarl's father Paul told the Kansas City Star that the teen was "making good progress" since being released from hospital, and that his mother - who is a nurse - had taken time off work to look after him.
Our thoughts are with Ralph Yarl and his family for a speedy recovery.
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