Doris Adu Gyamfi, the mother of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, who was fatally shot in the Bronx, New York, has travelled to the United States after receiving an emergency visa approved by President Donald Trump. She is making the journey to arrange her son’s funeral and to press for accountability over his killing.
A Mother’s Demand for Justice
Speaking to the BBC at the airport on Wednesday before her departure, Gyamfi was direct about her purpose. “I want justice for my son,” she said. She also disclosed that her son had always dreamt of becoming a medical doctor before his life was cut short in the shooting.
Gyamfi was escorted to the airport by relatives and the Head of Mission of the African Diaspora Forum, Dr Erieka Bennett. She said her immediate priority was to arrange her son’s burial, and she expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian government and well-wishers for their support, prayers and assistance following the tragedy.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Frimpong had been in the United States for only a year. He was reportedly chased and shot on Thursday morning while on his way to school in the Bronx. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police have yet to make any arrests, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are searching for three teenage boys suspected to have been involved in the killing, with officers reportedly relying on surveillance footage captured around the scene of the shooting.
Mayor’s Intervention Secures Emergency Visa
The emergency visa was granted after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani contacted Trump over the mother’s inability to travel to the United States to mourn her son in person. In a social media post on Saturday, Mamdani disclosed that Trump had agreed to approve the visa immediately.
“The murder of a child is a pain no parent should endure, let alone from thousands of miles away,” Mamdani said. “Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person. I just got off the phone with President Trump, and he has agreed to grant her visa immediately.” He added that all of New York City was mourning the tragedy.
Ghana Government Condemns Killing
The Ghanaian government has condemned the killing and expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. It said it was closely monitoring the investigation and had urged US authorities to conduct a thorough probe to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. The government also pledged to provide the necessary legal and consular assistance to the bereaved family.
Outrage on Both Sides of the Atlantic
The killing has sparked outrage in Ghana and the United States, with concerns raised over gun violence and the safety of young people, particularly Ghanaian children sent abroad for education. As the search for the three teenage suspects continues, Gyamfi’s journey marks the beginning of a painful homecoming and a determined quest for answers.
