A Ghanaian boy, Javits Frimpong, who had only been in America for about a year was fatally shot on Thursday morning of October 29, while walking to school in the Bronx.
The 15-year-old had dreamed of becoming a doctor. He was ambushed near his home and died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.
What Happened to Javits Frimpong That Morning
The shooting took place around 9:24 – 9:30 am near East 171st Street and Crotona Place, in Bronx. Javits was heading to DreamYard Preparatory School, an 18-minute walk from the apartment he shared with his father. 
Three teenage suspects, described as wearing black sweatsuits and blue surgical masks, are being searched for. They fled on foot after the attack that morning. Police officers who arrived did not wait for an ambulance, they put the wounded teen in their patrol car and rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he later died.
Javits Frimpong had moved from Ghana to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong, roughly one year earlier while his mother remained in Ghana.
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Thomas described his son as a reserved, quiet boy who mostly stayed indoors playing games on his phone after school. “My son is always quiet, always,” the grieving father said. He also called Javits “precious” and “very clever.” The teenager had dreams of becoming a doctor.
The Bullying Javits Frimpong’s Father Believes Played a Role
Thomas said that just three days before the shooting, the school principal informed him that two students had been bullying Javits and were suspended for a week. School officials reportedly told him his son was not the aggressor and had been defending himself.
When Thomas later spoke with Javits, the boy opened up to him saying that a student kept bullying him especially during lunch. He late son told him that he always reported. Thomas believes the bullying may be connected to the killing.
The police have not confirmed any motive or linked the suspects to the school incidents. Also, no arrests have been made as of the latest reports.
The image circulating of Javits smiling in a green varsity-style jacket has only deepened the sense of loss.
His father has spoken through tears about the sudden call from the principal, the race to the hospital. He is having difficulty of accepting that his son is gone. He has called for those responsible to face justice.
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Story written by Oluwagbohunmi Bajela, edited by Sola Sanusi.
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