A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, who was fatally shot while on his way to school in the Bronx, New York.

The teenage suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 11 November, nearly two weeks after the incident, which took place on 29 October. He is facing charges of murder, manslaughter and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. His identity has not been released because he is a minor.

Javits was reportedly walking to school near East 171st Street and Third Avenue when he was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9.30am. He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.

The teenager had moved from Ghana to the United States with his father around a year earlier to pursue better educational opportunities. He attended DreamYard Preparatory School and was described by his family as a bright and respectful student, with ambitions of becoming a doctor and joining the military.

Following his death, Javits' father, Thomas Frimpong, revealed that his son had previously complained about being bullied at school. He claimed that two students had been suspended following complaints about the treatment of his son. Friends also reportedly described an altercation involving Javits and two other students days before his death.

However, authorities have not confirmed a link between the reported bullying and the fatal shooting. Investigators have been considering several possible motives, including bullying and robbery, but no motive has been officially established.

The arrest comes as Javits' family continues to call for answers surrounding his death.

His mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, who travelled from Ghana following the tragedy, became emotional during a press conference on Wednesday, saying she wanted justice for her son. The family has also enlisted prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them as they seek accountability.

Crump said:

"We want these, apparently, kids who murdered Javits to be held fully accountable under the law, because that is equal justice,"

The case has sparked outrage within New York's Ghanaian community, with residents and campaigners calling for greater protection for young people and an end to violence.

Although the arrest marks a development in the investigation, authorities have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to establish what led to the teenager's death.