A 15-year-old boy identified as Javits Frimpong has died after being shot while on his way to school near Crotona Park in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday morning.
According to investigators, the shooting occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m., with three teenagers reportedly involved in the incident. Javits was shot in the stomach and later died at a hospital despite efforts to save his life.
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Surveillance footage shared online reportedly showed an individual fleeing the scene wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants and a face covering.
Authorities said the teenager managed to run about a block after being shot before collapsing.
Investigators are searching for three teenagers believed to have fled the area following the shooting.
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According to reports, the individuals were wearing black tracksuits and blue surgical masks when they escaped.
No arrests had been announced in connection with the killing at the time of the reports.
Reacting to his son’s death, Javits’ father, Thomas Frimpong, said he believes the shooting may have been connected to bullying.
He revealed that just three days before the incident, his son’s school principal informed him that two students had allegedly been bullying Javits and had been suspended for a week.
The grieving father also said school officials had told him that his son was not the aggressor in a recent confrontation and was only defending himself.
Speaking about the tragedy, he said:
“The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself.
“My son was precious, very clever.”
Thomas further explained that he brought his son from Ghana to New York about a year ago in the hope of giving him a better future. Javits’ mother reportedly remains in Ghana.
According to his father, the teenager was quiet and usually kept to himself, rarely spending much time outside.
Thomas, who works as a yellow cab driver, recalled that his last conversation with Javits before the shooting was a reminder to get to school on time.
The devastating incident has left the family grieving and residents of the Crotona Park neighbourhood demanding an end to violence involving young people.
Following the shooting, residents expressed concern about the safety of children and teenagers in the community.
One resident appealed to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to provide more activities and programmes for young people after school, saying:
“Mayor Mamdani if you’re hearing this, our kids need. They need afterschool programs; they need different programs to keep them off the street. Too much idle time on a young man’s hands means trouble”
Another neighbour also urged young people to avoid violence, offering a message to the community:
“Stop the violence, that’s all, stay home, stay in school.”
As investigations continue, authorities are working to identify and locate those responsible for the teenager’s killing.
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