A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, who was killed while walking to school in the Bronx on October 29, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced Wednesday.
Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old and charged him with murder following the investigation into Frimpong’s death. The NYPD stated in a post on X that they would continue efforts to remove dangerous individuals from communities, particularly in cases involving the murder of a minor.
Frimpong, a Ghanaian immigrant, was fatally shot in the stomach while en route to school. His father, Thomas Frimpong, has suggested the killing may be connected to ongoing bullying his son experienced at school. Two days before the shooting, the school’s principal had contacted Thomas Frimpong to report that his son was being targeted, and two students had been suspended as a result of the reported bullying.
The NYPD’s Chief of Detectives, Joseph Kenny, told the New York Post that investigators were examining multiple angles, including the alleged bullying. Kenny stated that three individuals chased Frimpong before shooting him in the back. He added that the shooting did not appear to be a robbery, as Frimpong’s backpack was found nearby.
Kenny emphasized that there was no indication of gang involvement, describing Frimpong as a student focused on education and the “American dream.” The NYPD has not released the suspect’s identity due to legal restrictions.
The tragedy has prompted community protests and calls for increased measures to address youth violence and bullying in the Bronx. Federal intervention has also been initiated, with President Donald Trump approving an emergency visa for Frimpong’s mother to travel to the United States from Ghana.
The NYPD continues to search for any additional individuals who may be connected to the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing.