An 84-year-old homeowner accused of shooting a black teenager who mistakenly approached his house will proceed to trial, according to a ruling by a Missouri judge.

Andrew Lester, a retired mechanic, faces charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Ralph Yarl, who was 16 years old at the time and had mistakenly knocked on Lester’s door while trying to collect his younger brothers.

Lester had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During a preliminary hearing, witnesses, including Ralph, testified. Ralph recounted how he had been sent to pick up his twin brothers but had lost his phone at school.

He mistakenly knocked on Lester’s door, thinking it was his intended destination.

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When Lester opened the inner door, Ralph reached for the storm door, assuming Lester was related to his brother’s friends.

Instead, Lester told Ralph not to return and shot him in the head, causing him to fall to the ground before shooting him in the arm.

Ralph continues to recover from the traumatic brain injury he suffered but plans to study engineering after high school.

His father, Paul Yarl, mentioned that his son still faces psychological challenges stemming from the incident.

Lester’s defense attorney argued that Lester acted in self-defense, fearing he was being robbed by a stranger and that Lester, given his age and physical condition, was unable to protect himself.

Missouri has “stand your ground” laws that permit individuals to use physical force when feeling threatened.

A fundraising campaign has raised nearly $3.5 million to support Ralph and his family in recent months.