Bronx shooting: 17-year-old arrested in death of Ghanaian student
Police arrested a teenager on Wednesday for the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, who was killed while walking to school in the Bronx on October 29.
By Andrew Bennett ·
A 17-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old immigrant from Ghana. The New York City Police Department announced that the suspect has been charged with murder and other offenses related to the incident that occurred on October 29.
Frimpong was shot while walking to school on a street in the Bronx. The police department has not yet specified the motive for the shooting. Detective Chief Joseph Kenny stated the previous week that investigators were looking into potential causes, including school bullying or a robbery. Kenny also indicated that three perpetrators were involved in the crime.
The arrest was announced during a press conference held at the National Action Network headquarters. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Ghana’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Yao Kumah, were present. Frimpong’s mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, was also in attendance. She held her son’s father on her shoulder as she wept. Crump acknowledged the arrest but asked why the young man was killed, describing him as a person with a bright future.
Ghana’s ambassador called the arrest a step in the right direction. Frimpong had moved to the United States a year ago to join his father, Thomas Frimpong, in search of better educational opportunities. Thomas Frimpong said his son was living the dream. The boy’s sister, Millicent Frimpong, noted that Javits planned to become a doctor and join the army. She recalled that he had asked her to save his military uniform for him.
The family reported that Frimpong faced bullying at school. Thomas Frimpong said two students were suspended for their behavior. Despite the harassment, Javits told his father that he was fine. His diary entries reflected his pride in being in the United States and his success in school. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has asked President Donald Trump to arrange a visa so Frimpong’s mother can travel to the United States.
The suspect’s name has not been released. It is not yet known if he has hired an attorney to respond to the charges. The case has sparked protests in New York and drawn attention from the Ghanaian government and civil rights advocates.
