Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old residing in the Bronx was killed near Cortona park and East 171st Street while on his way to school the morning Thursday, October 29. Frimpong was just shy of a year living in the United States after immigrating from Ghana to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong. The teen sustained a single gunshot wound to the stomach, and was seen trying to escape his attackers through surveillance footage near the scene of the crime. Frimpong was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York where he later died due to his injuries.
Thomas Frimpong and the teen’s school bus aid told CBS News that the incident follows a series of ongoing bullying of Javits. “An innocent kid. An honorable student that just came from Ghana,” the school bus aide said. “For his life to be ended recklessly is just sad.” Frimong’s father informed ABC News that his wife, and Javits’ mother is in shock and disbelief that her child is deceased. The distraught father was
The New York Police Department is currently looking for three teenagers suspected of being involved in the murder. While a motive hasn’t been revealed, community members are speculating that it could be tied to retaliation due to an alleged suspension of students who were accused of bullying Javits.
An outcry surrounding the concern of gun violence and bullying has already begun to surge online. Online users are widely sharing their condolences for the young teen, and urging officials for real intervention and investment of prevention programs.
Names of the suspected perpetrators have not been released at this time. This is an ongoing story, additional details will be shared as the circumstances around Frimpong’s death continue to develop.