A prominent activist has criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, suggesting he is more focused on public image than on addressing violent crime, following the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Jacob Freytas. Fernando Mateo, founder of the United Bodega Owners of America, voiced his frustration Sunday, questioning the mayor's whereabouts and priorities.
"Where is Mamdani?" Mateo stated outside the Mount Eden bodega where the shooting occurred. He pointed to an incident earlier this month where Mayor Mamdani reportedly attended a FIFA World Cup game with inmates at Rikers Island, a move Mateo characterized as a "publicity stunt" while gun violence continues to impact city streets.
Jacob Freytas was walking to a bodega on Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse on Saturday afternoon to buy a ball when a dispute between six individuals erupted into gunfire. Security footage shows the boy initially running out of the store to flee on his bike but then stumbling back inside, clutching his chest, before collapsing. His father is a former NYPD sergeant.
Mateo urged city officials, including the governor and the mayor, to shift their focus from engaging with incarcerated individuals to advocating for victims and their families. "Protect the victims and their families," he said, advocating for a tougher stance on crime and less leniency.
The United Bodega Owners of America is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Freytas' death. Mateo directed his remarks toward the governor and mayor, imploring them to "get tough on crime" and "stop giving a pass."
While official NYPD statistics indicate that shootings and murders in the city are at historic lows, Mateo contended that many neighborhoods continue to be plagued by violence. The tragic death of young Freytas has reignited concerns among some community leaders about the effectiveness of current public safety strategies.