Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on the Shooting of Ralph Yarl

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the shooting of Ralph Yarl in North Kansas City.

“By all accounts, Ralph Yarl is a bright, hard-working, responsible young man, who loves his family and performing in the Staley High School marching band. Last week, like countless other older brothers have done before him, Mr. Yarl was simply trying to retrieve his younger siblings and ensure they got home safely. Tragically, Mr. Yarl was nearly killed in the process.

“I am incredibly thankful that Mr. Yarl is alive and recovering—but there is not a child in the world that deserves to be shot for ringing the wrong doorbell. While I pray for the healing of Mr. Yarl and his family, I am anxiously awaiting a swift, thorough, and comprehensive investigation into the shooting by local authorities.

“However, I want to be very clear that Ralph Yarl should be safe and at home with his family right now. I can think of no justification for shooting a child multiple times for ringing the wrong doorbell—and we as a society ought to think very carefully about whether or not that is the world we want to live in.

“In this moment, it is imperative that we allow local law enforcement to investigate all the facts of the shooting. We must ensure that justice is served and the law is upheld. Mr. Yarl and our communities in Kansas City deserve nothing less.”

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.