Ghanaian Teen Javits Frimpong Shot Dead in Bronx Trying To Defend Himself From School Bullies [VIDEO INSERT]

[VIDEO INSERT] The Bronx, New York - A deep sense of sadness and anger has gripped the Ghanaian community and locals in Claremont after a 15-year old schoolboy was tragically shot dead in The Bronx, New York. The victim, whose name has been released as Javits Frimpong by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), was shot in the early hours of Thursday, October 29, 2026, as he was travelling to class. This has left a bright future cut short and reignited discussions across the city on keeping students safe and stopping weapon violence.

Law enforcement have confirmed the incident took place shortly after 9.30am near the junction of East 171st Street and Crotona Place, just outside of the large fields of Crotona Park. Emergency services got to the scene fast after getting numerous calls to report someone had been shot. Officers arrived and found the young teenager was conscious but had suffered a severe gunshot wound to the stomach.

Footage from nearby surveillance showed Javits running along the pavement as a man in all black chased after him. After shots were fired from the weapon, he was able to run for one block before collapsing onto the street.

Emergency services knew time was extremely important and decided not to wait for an ambulance to arrive. Instead they loaded him into the back of a police car and raced him to St. Barnabas Hospital. Doctors rushed him into emergency surgery to try to save his life. However, despite the extensive efforts from doctors, the extent of the internal injuries were too great and he passed away later on in the day.

Police detectives and forensics have been working throughout the afternoon to investigate the scene of the crime. A pair of trainers can be seen lying on the road. NYPD’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, have confirmed police are actively searching for three males aged between 16 and 18. They made their escape by heading south down Fulton Avenue towards Crotona Park.

Footage and witness statements have shown the three males were all wearing matching black tracksuit bottoms, hoodies and blue face masks. One of the men was seen holding a weapon prior to attacking Javits. Whilst it is still being investigated what role each person played, police have confirmed they are actively searching for the masked attackers.

The father of the victim, Thomas Frimpong has spoken out about what he believes to be the motive behind the attack. He told reporters through heavy tears that he believes the tragedy was the result of the school bullying his son was suffering. Thomas, who works as a yellow cab driver in New York City, said his son had been constantly being bullied by others at lunchtimes.

Just three days before the incident the school administration had gotten involved at Javits’ school, Dreamyard Preparatory. The principal had called Thomas to inform him that two male students had been suspended for one week after an altercation with his son. The school assured Thomas that Javits had nothing to do with it and was just defending himself.

"I know he’s innocent. He was defending himself." Thomas Frimpong said. He cannot believe how a normal school punishment turned into an attack on the streets. He believes the masked attackers may have targeted his son as revenge for the bullies getting suspended. The New York City Department of Education and school have not made any public statements about the bullying.

This incident has hit hard for the family as they are recent immigrants from West Africa. Thomas had hoped to get out of the struggles he was having financially and give his son a better future. He brought Javits over from Ghana just one year ago to be reunited with him in New York. His mother and family are still back in West Africa and have had to take the news of his tragic death hard.

Thomas said his son was a very shy, precious and intelligent boy who did not like to go out and preferred to stay in. He said the last time he spoke to his son was on Thursday morning when he said goodbye and told him to hurry so he would not be late for class. He is now asking for anyone to come forward and for those responsible to hand themselves in.

The tragic death of the teen has shocked the local Claremont community and there are calls for changes to be made to protect vulnerable youths. Angry members of the community and locals have gathered near the park and are calling on the city and Mayor Zohran Mamdani to provide positive activities for after school to keep local teens occupied. The NYPD are asking if you have any information or can identify the masked attackers to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-577-