17-year-old arrested over fatal shooting of Ghanaian teen Javits Frimpong in the Bronx
New York police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the October shooting of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong. The funeral is set for 20 November.
Arrest made in Bronx killing of Ghanaian schoolboy Javits Frimpong
New York police have arrested a 17-year-old male suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong, who was killed on his way to school in the Bronx on 29 October, bbc.com reports. The suspect, whose name has not been released because he is a minor, faces charges of murder, manslaughter and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday.
"Earlier this morning, NYPD detectives arrested a 17-year-old male for the murder of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong on October 29 in the Bronx. He will be charged with murder," the New York Police Department said in a statement.
Investigators had been searching for three teenage suspects, believed to be between 16 and 18 years old, who fled the scene wearing black clothing and blue surgical masks. Surveillance footage appeared to show Frimpong running from his pursuers before he was shot. Officers rushed him to St Barnabas Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Father points to bullying as possible motive
The victim's father, Thomas Frimpong, told reporters he believes bullying Javits had experienced at school may have been connected to his death. The school principal had informed him that two pupils had been suspended for disturbing his son, and that Javits was considered innocent.
"It's not easy. He only just reached one year here since coming from Africa. He was quiet, he didn't talk much," Thomas said at a press conference. He added that his son had told him one of the boys regularly bullied him during lunch breaks.
Whether the bullying was directly linked to the killing remains under investigation. Thomas was unequivocal about what he wants from authorities: "All I want to say is that I want justice for my son."
Javits's mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, also told bbc.com she is demanding justice for the killing of her only son. According to his sister, Javits had ambitions to become a doctor and also hoped to serve in the military.
Ghana government condemns killing, calls for justice
The government of Ghana has formally condemned the shooting and expressed condolences to the family. Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, said in a statement that he had spoken personally with the victim's father to convey the condolences of the Ghanaian government and people.
Ablakwa confirmed that officials from Ghana's Permanent Mission in New York had visited the bereaved family and were coordinating with local authorities. The Foreign Ministry, he said, would work with US authorities to ensure those responsible face justice.
"The family of Javits and his loved ones remain in our thoughts and prayers," the minister said.
Ghana's government also called on relevant authorities in the Bronx to conduct a thorough investigation.
Community shock and broader debate on gun violence
The shooting has left residents of the neighbourhood shaken, with some calling for more programmes to keep teenagers engaged in constructive activities. The killing has also renewed calls in some quarters for stricter gun control legislation in the United States.
Gun violence remains a major public safety challenge in the US, with tens of thousands of deaths from firearm-related injuries recorded each year. The debate over how to address the problem is shaped by differences in state regulations, the widespread availability of firearms and disagreements over gun ownership rights. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms — a provision frequently cited by opponents of stricter controls. Advocates of tighter regulation argue that stronger background checks, safe-storage requirements and restrictions on access to firearms could reduce deaths.
Funeral scheduled for 20 November
The family of Javits Frimpong has announced that his funeral will be held on 20 November in the United States.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)