President Trump has agreed to expedite a visa for the mother of a 15-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the Bronx, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced.
Javits Frimpong, who had moved to New York from Ghana less than a year prior, was shot in the abdomen on Thursday morning while trying to escape a group of bullies on his way to school. Police responded to a 911 call and transported Frimpong to a hospital in their patrol car, but he died from his injuries.
Mamdani stated on Saturday that he had spoken with President Trump, who agreed to grant an immediate visa to Javits's mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, enabling her to attend her son's funeral. "The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away," Mamdani wrote on X. "Javits Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person."
Ghana's foreign affairs minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressed appreciation for the intervention and Trump's decision. The Ghanaian government will cover travel and funeral expenses for Frimpong's mother and plans to cooperate with U.S. authorities in seeking justice for the teenager.
Frimpong's father, Thomas Frimpong, told reporters that his son had moved to the U.S. approximately one year before his death in pursuit of better educational opportunities and a career in medicine. He recounted that his son had complained about being bullied and that the school principal had reported two students for disturbing Javits a few days prior, leading to their suspension.
Surveillance footage shows Frimpong being chased by assailants described as wearing all black clothing and surgical masks. As of Monday, no arrests had been made.
An online fundraiser established to support Javits Frimpong's family had garnered over $855,000 by Monday morning. The description on the fundraiser stated that Javits was "full of hope for a brighter future and a better education."