Several media outlets are reporting that the family of Ralph Yarl, a black teenager who rang the wrong doorbell in a white neighborhood in Kansas City, is suing the homeowners’ association in addition to the man who fired the shot.

The theory against the HOA is that it failed to exercise reasonable care regarding the use of firearms in the neighborhood. There are apparently no rules against discharging firearms.

Yarl rang the doorbell on April 13, 2023, mistaking the house for a friend’s home. He had been sent to pick up his siblings, but the correct house was about a block away.  The homeowner opened the door and allegedly shot Yarl twice with a Smith & Wesson .32-caliber revolver. He said he was afraid someone was trying to break into his home.

Missouri has “stand your ground” and “castle doctrine” legislation that indicates a homeowner may use deadly force for self-defense if he reasonably believes that deadly force is necessary. A criminal case is pending against the homeowner in addition to the recently filed civil case.

The HOA is reported to be an unincorporated association with minimal annual assessments.  If that is true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the individual homeowners named.

Any South Carolina dirt lawyers who represent homeowners’ associations will want to advise them of this lawsuit. Rules and insurance issues should be explored.

Be careful out there!