The father of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong is searching for answers after his son was shot and killed on his way to school in the Bronx. What should have been another ordinary school morning ended in tragedy, leaving a family grieving and a community demanding justice.
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Frimpong was shot around 9:30 a.m. Thursday near Crotona Park. According to police, the teenager was struck in the stomach and managed to run about a block before collapsing. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Investigators are now looking for three teenage boys believed to have fled the area after the shooting. Surveillance footage captured a person running from the scene wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants and a mask. Police said the individuals they are searching for were dressed in black sweatsuits and wearing blue surgical masks. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects.
However, Javits’ father, Thomas Frimpong, believes his son’s death may be connected to bullying at school. He said the school principal contacted him just three days before the shooting to inform him that two students had been bullying Javits. According to his father, both students were suspended for a week.
Thomas also said school officials told him his son was not responsible for a recent confrontation. Instead, he was told Javits had been defending himself.
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“The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself,” his father said.
The teenager had moved from Ghana to New York about a year ago to live with his father. Thomas hoped the move would give his son an opportunity to build a better future. Javits’ mother remains in Ghana, making the loss especially difficult for the family as they deal with the tragedy from different countries.
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His father described him as a quiet teenager who generally kept to himself and spent much of his time at home. He also remembered his son as someone with a bright future, saying, “My son was precious, very clever.”
One of the most painful details for Thomas is the final conversation he had with Javits. Before they parted Thursday morning, he told his son to make sure he arrived at school on time. He never imagined those would be among their last words together.
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The killing has prompted vigils and an outpouring of grief, with thousands gathering to remember the teenager. As the investigation continues, his family is left mourning a young life cut short and waiting for answers about what happened.
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