by The family of a black teenager shot after he rang the wrong doorbell last week, apparently mistaking the residence for one a block away, has hired a pair of nationally prominent civil rights attorneys.
Lee Merritt and Ben Crump announced Sunday they were taking on the case and quickly criticized authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, for releasing the shooter, who they said is a white man.
The 16-year-old, whose name was not released by authorities, is said to be in stable condition at a hospital after he was shot shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday, according to police and lawyers.
“There can be no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect,” Merritt and Crump said in a joint statement.
Kansas City police said the boy mistook a residence in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street for the location of his siblings, who were at a home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Terrace, according to the NBC affiliate. KSHB from Kansas City.
Protesters attacked the venue on Sunday as news of the shooting began to reach a national audience via social media.
Journalist and judicial reform advocate Shaun King said the instagram who has taken up the cause of the victim.
“This is NOT a case of standing up for yourself,” King said of the kind of law that allows for a self-defense argument when shooters are defending life and property.
Missouri stop–his–fundamental law says that a would-be shooter defending life or property does not have to retreat before taking violent action.
Police Chief Stacey Graves explained why the shooter was released on Sunday and vowed to fully investigate.
The resident, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody and held for 24 hours, the maximum for a felony suspect, until charges are filed.
A firearm was taken as evidence, Graves said.
She said the vast majority of felony suspects are released after 24 hours, but many are re-arrested once enough evidence is gathered to bring charges.
In this case, Graves said, the detectives, working “as quickly and as thoroughly as we can,” will work to build a strong foundation for prosecution.
“As soon as the case is complete, it will be presented to the Clay County District Attorney for review,” he said.
He also said he has been in contact with the teen’s family and is listening to the concerns of the black community.
