Nationwide — Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old African American boy from the Bronx, New York, was shot and killed while walking to school Thursday morning. His father believes bullying may have contributed to the killing, revealing that two students had been suspended just days earlier for targeting his son.
The shooting happened around 9:30 a.m. near Crotona Park, where the teenager was struck in the stomach. Despite his injury, he managed to run about a block before collapsing. Emergency responders took him to a hospital, where he later died. Police are searching for three teenage boys believed to be connected to the killing. According to ABC 7 NY, surveillance footage showed someone fleeing the area in a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and a mask. Investigators also described the suspects as wearing black sweatsuits and blue surgical masks.
His father said the school principal contacted him three days before the shooting to report that two students had been bullying his son. Both students were suspended for a week, according to Frimpong. He also said school officials told him Javits had not started a recent confrontation and was only defending himself. “The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself,” he recalled. Although Frimpong believes he knows who was responsible for the shooting, police have not publicly identified any suspects or announced arrests. Authorities have also not confirmed a motive.
Frimpong brought his son from Ghana to New York about a year ago, hoping to give him a better future. Javits’ mother remains in Ghana, while the teenager lived with his father in the Bronx. He described his son as quiet and intelligent, saying he usually stayed home rather than spending much time outside. The father, who works as a yellow cab driver, also remembered their final conversation Thursday morning. Before his son left for school, he reminded him to arrive on time. He never imagined that would be the last time they spoke.
The teenager’s killing has also raised concerns among Crotona Park residents, who are calling for more efforts to prevent youth violence. Some believe additional after-school programs and supervised activities could give young people safer ways to spend their time. One resident appealed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani to expand programs for teenagers, warning that too much idle time can lead to trouble. Others urged parents to remain involved in their children’s lives and pay attention to bullying or disagreements they may face at school. One neighbor also shared a simple message for the community: “Stop the violence, that’s all, stay home, stay in school.”