A black teenager in the US was shot in the head after going to the wrong home to pick up his twin brother, the family said.
Ralph Yarl, 16, was hospitalized following the shooting in Kansas City around 10 p.m. Thursday. Missouri.
Police say he went to the wrong house and was shot there.
A GoFundMe page believed to have been set up by Ralph’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said the boy was shot in the head and then shot again after falling to the ground.
Ralph’s aunt said the teenager escaped but had to knock down three different houses before someone could help him.
Police said Ralph’s injuries were life-threatening but he is in stable condition.
Ralph was described by his family as a talented musician.Image: Facebook
The homeowner who allegedly shot Ralph was taken into custody on Thursday. He has been released pending further investigation.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump told local media that Ralph’s family said the shooter was white.
“There is an inevitable acknowledgment that racial dynamics are at play,” said Mr Crump, who represents Ralph’s family.
Officials did not name the alleged attackers or identify their race. They also did not confirm how many times the victim was shot or the extent of his injuries.
Mr. Crump has represented the families in several high-profile cases, including Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, as well as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
Police have yet to accept victim statements
Missouri law allows a person to be held for up to 24 hours for a felony investigation. At that point, the person must be released or arrested and formally charged.
To arrest someone, law enforcement needs formal victim statements, forensic evidence and other information to complete a case file.
Police have not yet been able to receive a victim statement due to the teen’s injuries.
“I want everyone to know that I am listening and I understand the concerns we have received from the community,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said.
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The shooting sparked a protest in Kansas City on Sunday, with hundreds of people gathering outside the residence where Ralph was allegedly shot.
Ralph’s aunt said he was a “wonderful kid” and a talented musician who wanted to study chemical engineering at university.
She wrote: “Life looks very different now. While he is in good physical shape, he has a long way to go mentally and emotionally.
“The trauma he had to endure and survive was unimaginable. He was our miracle.
“We’ve heard these kinds of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys don’t live to get another chance.
“Ralph deserves the future he dreams of.”
A GoFundMe page raising money for his medical costs has raised more than $700,000 (£565,000).