A 15-year-old boy from Ghana, Javits Frimpong, was shot dead on his way to school near Crotona Park in the Bronx, New York, on Thursday morning. His father, who spoke through tears as he remembered him, says the family is devastated.
According to police, Javits was shot in the stomach at about 9:30am near the park. Authorities say he ran about a block before collapsing, and he later died in hospital.
The NYPD is searching for three teenage boys in connection with the killing. Investigators say the three fled the area wearing black sweatsuits and blue surgical masks. Surveillance video shows a person running from the scene who matches a description released by police: a black hoodie, black sweatpants and a mask. Video footage obtained by the Daily News appears to show Javits running from three people near E. 171st St. and Crotona Place.
Javits's father, Thomas Frimpong, a taxi driver, says he brought his son from Ghana to live with him in New York a year ago, hoping for a better life. The boy's mother remains in Ghana. Mr Frimpong said his son largely kept to himself and did not spend much time outside the home. The last thing he told him on Thursday morning was to make sure he got to school on time.
Mr Frimpong says he believes the shooting was tied to bullying. He said that three days earlier the school principal had told him that two children had been bullying his son and had been suspended for a week. He also said school officials told him his son had not been the aggressor in a recent incident. He told reporters he believes he knows who was responsible, but police have not identified any suspects or made any arrests. These are the father's own claims, and they have not been confirmed by police.
"My son was precious, very clever," he said.
The killing has left residents of the Crotona Park neighbourhood outraged over the violence, and they are urging parents to pay closer attention to their children.
Sources: NYPD statements as reported
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