Wayne Lumbasi
A 15-year-old Ghanaian boy has been shot dead in New York City after being chased by an attacker while on his way to school, in a killing that has left his family devastated and raised concerns over bullying and teenage violence.
The victim, identified as Javits Frimpong, was attacked on the morning of October 29, 2026, in the Bronx neighbourhood of Claremont. He was reportedly walking to school when he was pursued and shot in the abdomen.
Police officers responding to reports of gunfire at approximately 9:24 a.m. found the teenager seriously wounded. He was rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Frimpong running as an individual dressed in black chased him before shooting him. The suspect and other individuals believed to have been involved subsequently fled the scene.
New York police launched an investigation and began searching for three teenage boys believed to be connected to the killing. No arrests had been announced in the latest reports, while the motive for the attack remained under investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting have also raised questions about possible bullying at the teenager’s school. His father, Thomas Frimpong, said his son had previously complained about being harassed by fellow students at DreamYard Preparatory School.
According to his father, the school principal had recently informed him that two students had been suspended over alleged bullying involving his son. He suspects the shooting could be connected to those incidents, although investigators have not confirmed any link.
Frimpong described his son as a quiet and intelligent boy who largely kept to himself and had no known involvement in street activities.
Javits moved from Ghana to the United States in 2025 to reunite with his father and pursue better opportunities. His death has therefore left a family that had hoped for a brighter future in a painful and unexpected tragedy.
The killing has attracted attention in Ghana, with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa condemning the attack and pledging cooperation with American authorities to pursue justice.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, who agreed to facilitate an immediate visa for Javits’ mother to travel from Ghana to the United States following her son’s death.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of schoolchildren, the consequences of bullying and the growing problem of youth violence.
For the Frimpong family, the journey that began with hopes of a better future in America has ended in heartbreak, as they seek answers over why a 15-year-old boy lost his life on his way to school.
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