By now you have probably heard the horrible news from Kansas City, Missouri. On April 13, 2023, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl went to the wrong address to pick up his younger brothers and was shot two times. After a public outcry, 84-year-old Andrew Lester was charged in the shooting with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He turned himself in the next day.
New details about Lester are emerging from his family members. One grandson claims he was a decent man. Another grandson paints a different picture. Lester's ex-wife was not surprised by the news, saying he was always an angry person.
Klint Ludwig is one of Andrew’s grandchildren. He said he used to be close to his grandfather. He loved listening to his stories about his military service and days as an airline mechanic. This changed during the pandemic.
According to Ludwig, at a family gathering his grandfather started talking about some far-right beliefs that did not sit right with him. Lester was ranting about Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“I was like, ‘Man, this sounds crazy,’” Ludwig said. “I told him it was ridiculous.” The pair have not spoken since. Ludwig told The New York Times that his grandfather has made disparaging remarks “about Black people, gay people and immigrants.”
More from LittleThings: 84-Year-Old Missouri Man Turns Himself In After Being Charged For Shooting Ralph Yarl
Another grandson, Daniel Ludwig, disagrees with Klint Ludwig. He did not go into much detail about this.
“These people are not close to him like I am,” Daniel Ludwig said. He described his grandfather as “literally too nice” and someone who had “spoiled” his family members.
Lester's neighbor Karen Allman said she was not surprised about the shooting. Many residents in the neighborhood are older and “set in their ways.” This does not mean she agrees with his actions.
“The fact that you would open up the door and just shoot somebody? I don’t understand,” she said. “If you’re that scared, why did you open up the door? And that gentleman has security cameras all over.”
Lester’s ex-wife was also not surprised when she heard the news. Mary Clayton was married to Lester decades ago, and the pair share three children. She has not spoken to him or seen him in years, initially not even recognizing him when the news broke.
The two were married for 14 years, but it was not wedded bliss. Clayton says Lester was an angry man who often broke things around the house in fits of rage. The police did nothing to help her.
“I was always scared of him,” Clayton said. “It doesn’t surprise me, what happened.”
On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Lester pleaded not guilty to the charges. Many believe that he should also be charged with a hate crime. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said there was a “racial component” to this case.
