Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, has tragically lost his life after being shot while walking to school in the Bronx, New York, in an incident that has left his family and local community devastated.

Frimpong was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 am on Thursday, 29 October 2026, near East 171st Street and Crotona Place in the Claremont neighbourhood. The teenager was reportedly making his way to school when the shooting took place, just a short distance from his home.

According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting and found Javits with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was rushed to St Barnabas Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed a teenager running from the scene, while another individual dressed in black appeared to chase him. Authorities are searching for three suspects believed to be between 16 and 18 years old. They were reportedly wearing black clothing and blue surgical masks when they fled the area.

As of 1 November, no arrests had been announced, and investigators had not confirmed a motive for the shooting.

Following the shooting, Javits' father, Thomas Frimpong, spoke publicly about his son's final days, revealing that the teenager had previously complained about being bullied at school. According to Thomas, the school's principal contacted him approximately three days before the shooting to inform him about an incident involving two students who had allegedly been bullying his son. He said the students were subsequently suspended for a week.

Thomas explained that Javits had repeatedly complained about being targeted, particularly during lunchtime, and had told him that another student continued to disturb him despite previous reports to school staff.

The grieving father also claimed that his son had been involved in a previous confrontation but was defending himself rather than acting as the aggressor. He recalled the principal reassuring him that Javits was innocent and had been defending himself during the incident.

Javits had moved from Ghana to the United States approximately one year before his death to live with his father, who hoped to provide him with better opportunities and a brighter future. Thomas described his son as a quiet, intelligent and well-behaved teenager who generally kept to himself and regularly attended school. Speaking to reporters following the tragedy, the father struggled to contain his emotions as he described the loss of his only son.

He said:

"He's my everything. I'm here with him alone."

Thomas also recalled the final moments he shared with Javits on the morning of the shooting. He explained that he had woken his son before leaving for work, with the teenager opening the door for him before they went their separate ways.

His son's mother, who remains in Ghana, has also been left heartbroken by the news. Thomas explained that she was struggling to accept what had happened and was devastated by the sudden loss.

The father has since called for justice, expressing his disbelief that his son could lose his life while simply making his way to school.