I don't know how he survived, says Ralph Yarl's mother

A poignant interview there with Ralph Yarl's mother and the family's attorney Lee Merritt.

Let's recap what we've learned:

• His mother Cleo Nagbe told CBS Ralph is doing "considerably well"
• She recounted what happened last Thursday night when Ralph went to pick up his younger brothers, saying instead of getting a hug from his twin siblings he got a "couple of bullets"
• Ralph was shot on the top of his left eye and in the arm - one bullet stayed in there for up to 12 hours
• The paediatrician who treated Ralph did not understand how the 16-year-old survived after being shot at such close range
• Ralph laughed with US President Joe Biden during a call with the family last night
• Attorney Merritt says the next steps will involve talking to prosecutors to ask why attempted murder was not included

Cleo Nagbe, the mother of Ralph Yarl, who was shot after ringing the wrong doorbell in Missouri, has been speaking to CBS Mornings about the extent of his injuries after he was shot on Thursday night.

Ralph Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonemore, set up a fundraising page on Monday which has raised over $2.6m (£2m) in a day with more than 70,000 donations.

Setting up the page, Spoonemore describes Yarl as gifted at playing musical instruments and that his goal is to attend Texas A&M University to major in chemical engineering.

She also mentioned her nephew’s dream is to visit West Africa.

According to the GoFundMe page, the funds raised will be used for his medical bills and therapy. “Any additional funds will be used for college expenses at Texas A&M, a trip to West Africa, and other expenses”, his aunt says.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

As we've reported, US President Joe Biden spoke with Ralph Yarl and his family on Monday, soon after they learned that the man who shot him had been charged.

Biden shared his hope for a swift recovery. The president also offered his prayers for the teenager's health and for justice.

Biden invited the 16-year-old to visit the White House, according to the family's attorney, who says the president looks forward to meeting the family.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

A number of high-profile celebs have spoken out about the shooting of Ralph Yarl.

They include actors Halle Berry and Jennifer Aniston who initially joined calls for the immediate arrest of suspect Andrew Lester.

Singer Justin Timberlake and Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes have also condemned the shooting.

The interview is coming to an end now, with CBS' Gayle King tearing up.

She thanks Cleo, Yarl's mother, for being on the programme today - and says she's "so pleased" that her son is recovering.

Too often these stories "have a different ending," she says, at which point she tears up.

"Yes, yes," Yarl's mother responds, also clearly emotional. Merritt, the lawyer, thanks King for having them.

Asked about next steps, the family's lawyer says they'll be looking into why attempted murder was not included as one of the charges.

The team will also be looking into why it is that the family was not given an immediate response until national outcry from protesters.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

We know that US President Joe Biden called the family last night and the mother is asked by Gayle King about that call.

Ralph shared a laugh with the US President who said his dad was also a clarinet player.

His mother says Ralph told Biden "he had jokes".

We're now hearing a bit more from the family's lawyer, he says he wants to learn more about suspect Andrew Lester and his mindset.

The lawyer says the shooter's age is a component which will be considered, but he reminds CBS viewers that Lester's age is not too far off from the current president's and the former president's ages.

Merritt's still speaking, and he's being asked about the racial component of the case.

The lawyer says there's some obvious racial elements - the fact that a white shooter perceived a black boy to be a threat.

"We hear that a lot," he says, adding that the shooter Andrew Lester went home that night and slept in his own bed after being released from custody by police.

Meanwhile Yarl lay in hospital.

Remember: Lester hasn't been charged with a hate crime and charging documents do not describe the alleged racial bias.

We're now hearing from the attorney for the family, Lee Merritt, who reacts to being asked about suspect Andrew Lester saying he was "fearing for his life".

Merritt says: "When we hear he feared for his life and we know he was confronted with a 16-year-old boy ringing his doorbell - it is unjustifiable to use this level of force."

Asked about the events of the night of the shooting, Yarl's mother says her younger children were at their friend's house but were told they had to be home by 22:00.

She says she asked her son to go and collect them, and that he did so but didn't take his phone - which was usual for him. He also got the wrong address, as we've been reporting.

She says instead of getting a "couple of twins coming out to give him a hug" her son got a "couple of bullets" instead.

Yarl's mum says he is home, but he is home because he is surrounded by a team of medical professionals.

Asked about how he survived, his mum says he was shot at such a close range and the paediatrician did not understand how he survived herself.

Yarl's mum added that if the doctor didn't understand, then she couldn't understand.

More now from Yarl's mother, who says the teenager was shot on the top of his left eye and in the arm.

She says the bullet stayed in there for up to 12 hours before it was taken out.

Ralph Yarl's mother begins by saying her son is doing "considerably well".

She says mornings are the hardest, but that his "spirits are in the right place".

"He's in good hands," she adds.

The interview with the mother of Ralph Yarl and the family's attorney has just started.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest from what the family say and we'll get the latest on his condition too.

Deon J. Hampton / NBC NewsCopyright: Deon J. Hampton / NBC News

James Lynch was one of the shooter's neighbours who helped Ralph Yarl after he was shot.

"I heard somebody screaming, 'Help, help, I've been shot!'" Lynch told NBC news.

When Lynch went outside and across the street to find Yarl, the boy’s face and arms were covered in blood.

Lynch thought he was dead. “No one deserves to lay there like that. He didn’t deserve to get shot”, Lynch said.

While Lynch was trying to help, another neighbour came over with towels to help stem the bleeding. Both of them waited until the paramedics arrived.

“He had just gotten shot twice; he had a hole in the side of his head,” Lynch said. “That kid is tougher than I am.”

Police initially detained Ralph Yarl's shooter for questioning but let them go, without releasing their identity. That changed on Monday afternoon, though, when the suspect's name was revealed as Andrew Lester.

At the same time, Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced that Lester had been charged with two crimes: assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.

A prosecutor said there was a "racial component" to the shooting but Lester has not been charged with a hate crime, and charging documents do not describe the alleged racial bias.

Kansas City Police DepartmentCopyright: Kansas City Police Department

Lester, 84, lives at an address on 115th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, which is where Ralph mistakenly went last Thursday night to pick up his siblings - who were in fact at an address on nearby 115th Terrace.

Yarl's family and legal team claim the boy rang Lester's doorbell twice before the homeowner opened fire with a .32 revolver. Lee Merritt, one of the family's attorneys, told NBC News that the 16-year-old "was confronted by a man who told him, 'Don't come back around here,' and then he immediately fired his weapon".

According to local reports, Lester told police that he believed someone was breaking into his home and fired two shots through his door. A witness also told a local news station that he heard Yarl "screaming that he had been shot".

In short, there are three things to be aware of.

Ralph Yarl survived: The 16-year-old was released from hospital on Sunday - after allegedly being shot once in the head and once in the arm last Thursday - and has been at home recovering from his injuries, family members say.

Protests broke out: Over the weekend, demonstrations erupted in Kansas City, Missouri. And on Monday, protesters gathered outside suspect Andrew Lester's home chanting "black lives are under attack" and "stand up, fight back", online videos show. Lester's home has also reportedly been vandalised.

Lester has been charged: The suspect has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, prosecutors have said. He is thought to have shot Yarl through his front door. Police initially detained Lester for questioning and let him go, sparking the protests.