A 15-year-old Ghanaian boy has been shot dead in broad daylight near Crotona Park in the Bronx, New York, whilst making his way to school on Thursday morning.
The deceased, identified as Javits Frimpong, was shot in the stomach at around 9:30 a.m. CCTV footage captured a person fleeing the scene wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and a mask, which matched a description released by law enforcement.
Authorities confirmed that the young boy managed to run roughly a block after being hit before collapsing.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police officers are currently hunting for three teenagers who fled the scene wearing black sweatsuits and blue surgical masks.
Although police have yet to name suspects or make arrests, the victim’s grieving father, Thomas Frimpong, suspects the deadly attack stems from ongoing bullying at school.
The yellow cab driver revealed that school administrators had contacted him just days prior regarding trouble his son was experiencing. He noted that the principal informed him two pupils were bullying his son and had subsequently been suspended for a week.
He added that school officials reassured him the teenager was not the aggressor during the recent altercation.
“The principal told me Javits is innocent. Javits is innocent. He was defending himself,” he said.
Mr Frimpong brought his son from Ghana to settle with him in New York just a year ago, whilst the boy’s mother remained in Ghana.
Describing his son as a quiet child who spent most of his time indoors, the heart-broken father struggled to process the devastating loss.
“My son was precious, very clever,” he stated.
Recalling their final moments together on Thursday morning, Mr Frimpong said he simply advised his son to ensure he arrived at school on time.
Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
