A 17-year-old male was taken into custody Wednesday morning in connection with the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, who was killed while walking to school in the Bronx last month.
New York Police Department detectives picked up the teenager for questioning and transported him to the 42nd Precinct, though formal charges have not yet been filed. Frimpong, an immigrant from Ghana, was shot in the stomach on the morning of Oct. 29 during what was supposed to be a routine commute to his classes.
The shooting occurred amid growing local concerns regarding youth violence and reports of bullying in the community. Investigators said they are still searching for at least two other individuals believed to be involved in the deadly encounter. Police have been searching for three suspects who were seen fleeing the scene wearing black sweatsuits and blue surgical masks.
While the 17-year-old is currently being questioned, authorities said they have not yet determined his specific role in the shooting. The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify the remaining masked individuals. The family of the victim has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent their interests as the legal process unfolds. The family is expected to hold a news conference in Harlem later Wednesday to address the custody news and call for justice in the case.
“Frimpong’s killing has drawn significant attention in the community, where concerns about youth violence and bullying have intensified in the aftermath of the shooting,” a report from local investigators said. The Bronx neighborhood where the shooting occurred has seen a heightened police presence since the incident as part of an effort to stem a recent rise in juvenile crime.
The NYPD is urging anyone with information regarding the shooting or the whereabouts of the other two suspects to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline. The department noted that this remains a developing story and further updates regarding potential charges for the teen in custody are expected by the end of the day.
