A 15-year-old Ghanaian boy, Javits Frimpong, has been shot dead while walking to school in the Bronx, New York, with his father alleging that the killing may be connected to bullying at school.
The teenager was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, near East 171st Street and Crotona Place, close to Crotona Park.
He reportedly managed to run about a block after being shot before collapsing. He was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is searching for three teenage suspects believed to have fled the scene in black clothing, with at least two reportedly wearing blue surgical masks. No arrests had been announced as of Friday, October 30.
Investigators are also reviewing surveillance footage that reportedly captured one of the suspects fleeing the area.
Javits’ father, Thomas Frimpong, believes the shooting could be linked to bullying his son had allegedly experienced at school.
He said two students who had previously been involved in bullying incidents with Javits were suspended, adding that the school principal informed him about the matter three days before the fatal shooting.
The grieving father also maintained that his son was not the aggressor in a recent confrontation at school.
“The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself,” he said.
Thomas Frimpong disclosed that he brought his son from Ghana to the United States about a year ago in the hope of securing a better future for him, while the boy’s mother remained in Ghana.
Describing his son, he said, “My son was precious, very clever.”
The father, who works as a taxi driver, said his last conversation with Javits on Thursday morning was a reminder to get to school on time.
Police investigations into the fatal shooting are ongoing.
