President Donald Trump has agreed to grant an expedited B-2 visitor visa to Doris Adu Gyamfi, the mother of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old Ghanaian immigrant fatally shot in the Bronx on October 29.
Javits Frimpong was shot in the abdomen while walking to school shortly before 9:30 a.m. on October 29 and died later at a hospital, according to the New York City Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Trump’s decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 31, stating that the president had agreed to expedite the visa so Frimpong’s mother could travel to the U.S. to attend her son’s funeral. Mamdani said in the post: “The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away. Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person.”
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed Mamdani’s account in a social media post, stating that Ghana would cover all of Gyamfi’s travel expenses and assist with her visa application. Ablakwa added that Ghana was prepared to contribute to a dignified funeral for Frimpong. “Madam Doris Adu Gyamfi’s pain as a loving mother is unimaginable and indeed everything must be done to ensure she is present to pay her respects,” he said.
Frimpong had moved to the Bronx from Ghana one year ago to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong, who described his son as a quiet teenager. Thomas Frimpong told reporters that he had learned days before the shooting that his son was being bullied at school. “It was the principal who told me,” he said. “He said two guys are disturbing my son so he has suspended the two guys. My son is at school. He’s innocent.”
U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) also commented on the tragedy, stating: “Our entire borough is mourning a young man who should have had his whole future ahead of him. Every child in the Bronx deserves to walk to school without fearing for their life.” Torres did not provide additional details about the shooting or investigation.
The White House has not publicly commented on Mamdani’s claim regarding Trump’s decision. The Epoch Times and Fox News both reported that they had reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.