Mayor Mamdani and Trump intervene with visa to fly slain Ghanaian teen’s mother to New York
The mother of Javits Frimpong, the 15-year-old Ghanaian boy who was shot dead while walking to school in the Bronx, will be issued a visa immediately to enable her to travel to the United States and give her son a final farewell.
New York City Mayor Mamdani announced the decision on Saturday, saying he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, who had agreed to expedite the visa.
In a post on X, Mamdani said no parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child, particularly from thousands of miles away. He added that Frimpong’s mother deserved the opportunity to say goodbye to her son in person, while expressing the city’s grief over the tragedy.
The teenager was shot on Thursday morning while on his way to school. Police say three teenage boys suspected of involvement in the killing remain at large.
The announcement followed a gathering in the Bronx on Friday, where religious leaders, relatives and community members assembled at the spot where Frimpong collapsed after being shot. Participants held prayers and appealed to young people to end the violence that continues to take lives in the community.
The event, organised by religious leaders, attracted people whose families had also been affected by similar incidents.
Among those present was Leandra Feliz, whose 15-year-old son, Junior Guzman, was killed in 2018 in a case of mistaken identity. Guzman was attacked and slashed in the neck with machetes by 14 members of the Trinitarios gang. Despite making his way to the steps of St. Barnabas Hospital, he later died.
Feliz said she attended the gathering to show solidarity with Frimpong’s family, noting that another 15-year-old had lost his life to violence.
Frimpong’s father, Thomas, claimed he knew who was behind the shooting. He said his son had been bullied at school and that those allegedly involved had recently been suspended.
In a statement, the New York City Department of Education expressed sympathy to the teenager’s family and school community. The department said counselling and other support services were being made available to students, families and staff, while pledging to assist the New York Police Department with its investigations.
Thomas Frimpong said he brought his son from Ghana to live with him in New York about a year ago, hoping to provide him with better opportunities.
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