Trump grants visa for mother of Bronx teen killed in shooting linked to bullying
President Donald Trump agreed to grant a visa to the mother of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, a Ghanaian immigrant fatally shot in the Bronx on October 29. The shooting occurred near Crotona Park as the teen walked to school. Frimpong’s father stated his son was bullied at DreamYard Preparatory School, though police have not confirmed a link. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Key points
- Javits Frimpong, 15, was shot in the abdomen on October 29 near East 171st Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx.
- Surveillance footage shows three masked suspects chasing Frimpong before shooting him; he died at St. Barnabas Hospital.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke with President Trump, who agreed to grant a visa to Frimpong’s mother in Ghana so she could attend the funeral.
- Frimpong’s father, Thomas Frimpong, said his son was bullied at school, but NYPD declined to comment on whether bullying was related to the attack.
- No arrests have been made; Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark urged suspects to surrender.
Background
This incident follows a series of violent crimes in the Bronx in 2026, including a fatal fall from a 15th-floor balcony in October and a subway shooting in Midtown. The Trump-Mamdani relationship has been strained by previous disputes, such as the October 8 ICE shooting of Oscar Belgal, but the two appeared to cooperate on the visa request for Frimpong’s mother.
How outlets are covering it
Al Jazeera and The Guardian emphasize the visa grant and the emotional toll on the family, while NBC New York and New York Daily News focus on the bullying allegations and the lack of arrests. The Daily News highlights criticism from local officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who blamed lax gun laws and anti-immigration policies. Al Jazeera notes that visa applications from African countries have been limited under the Trump administration, making the visa grant significant. The sources agree on the basic facts of the shooting but differ in emphasis: some focus on the political resolution (visa), while others highlight the unresolved investigation and systemic failures.
Why it matters
The case underscores tensions between federal immigration policy and local grief, as well as ongoing concerns about gun violence and bullying in New York City schools. The visa grant by Trump, despite his administration’s restrictive policies, signals a rare moment of cooperation with Mayor Mamdani. The lack of arrests and unresolved bullying allegations raise questions about accountability and safety for immigrant students.
What to watch
The investigation continues with no arrests. Frimpong’s mother is expected to travel to New York once the visa is processed. The family and community are calling for justice and action against gun violence and bullying. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark has urged suspects to surrender.
- Mamdani says Trump to grant visa to mother of boy killed in Bronx shooting Al Jazeera
- Javits Frimpong, 15, mourned by Bronx community ABC7 New York
- Teen boy from Ghana chased and fatally shot on way to school in New York City The Guardian
- Bullying may be tied to 15-year-old's NYC shooting death, father says NBC New York
- Father of 15-year-old immigrant killed in Bronx ambush sobs as mourners decry how U.S. ‘failed’ teen New York Daily News
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