Remember Ralph Yarl? The Black Teen Shot for Ringing the Wrong Doorbell? Look at Him Now

The world found out who Ralph Yarl was after he was shot and injured by a white man after ringing the wrong doorbell while trying to locate his siblings. However, the teen isn’t letting this incident define him as the teen who survived an alleged racist attack.

Out of the few details released about the 17-year-old upon the tragic April 2023 incident, one of them really made us smile. His family shared that he was a talented clarinet player. According to a recent announcement from North Kansas City Schools, his musical skills have landed him a chance to perform in front of a real audience. Yarl was named second chair for bass clarinet in the 2024 Missouri All State Orchestra. He along with three other students will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association annual conference this month at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake of the Ozarks.

Last year, he received an honorable mention, per ABC. Now, it’s official - his first all-state band selection.

This dazzling achievement comes a year after Yarl ended up at the wrong Kansas City home while looking to pick up his younger siblings. He was shot and injured by 84-year-old homeowner Andrew Lester who believed Yarl was trying to break into his home, police say.

Yarl sustained gunshot wounds to his head and right arm. He told ABC’s Good Morning America he went running down the street looking for help but multiple homeowners didn’t come to his aid until finally, someone opened the door and called the police.

When the story broke, Yarl received over $3 million in donations on GoFundMe which his family said would go toward his medical expenses, therapy and college tuition. The support didn’t stop there either. His mother told GMA they received tons of letters from strangers all across the country wishing him well. His story even caught the eye of Alicia Keys who surprised him and his classmates with tickets to a performance.

Yarl was projected into the public eye for being a victim of a senseless, and what some considered “racist,” attack. However, it is inspiring to see he did not let this incident - or the trauma of it - hold him back. It is merely a testimony that there is more waiting ahead for him.