Government condemns killing of 15-year-old Ghanaian in New York, vows to pursue justice
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has assured the bereaved family of Ghana’s support as authorities pursue justice over the teenager’s fatal shooting in the Bronx.
A 15-year-old Ghanaian student named Javits Frimpong was tragically shot dead in the Bronx, New York, after reports indicated he had been bullied at his school. The victim, a student at DreamYard Prep, was discovered with a gunshot wound to his stomach following a police response to a reported shooting near East 172nd Street and Cortona Place around 9:30 a.m. Paramedics rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital in a police vehicle, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Frimpong's father, Thomas Frimpong, expressed his belief that the bullying his son endured may have played a role in his untimely death. He revealed that school officials had informed him about two students allegedly harassing his son, leading to their suspension. In recounting his son's account, Thomas explained that one of the students routinely bullied him during lunch, and despite his attempts to report the incidents, his son claimed he was unsuccessful in doing so.
The distraught father is urging the perpetrators to surrender themselves to the police, emphasizing his belief that they will not go unpunished for taking the life of an innocent child. Thomas Frimpong is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his son, stating, "I lost him. Why should I? I don't know what to do now."
Authorities are actively searching for at least two male suspects, who are believed to be teenagers. They are thought to have been wearing dark clothing and surgical masks during the incident. Surveillance footage obtained by local media reportedly shows two individuals matching the suspects' descriptions fleeing the scene, with one of them reportedly returning to retrieve an object before both individuals escape.
Police have appealed for any information related to the shooting, requesting that it be directed to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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