US President Donald Trump has agreed to grant an emergency visa to Doris Adu Gyamfi, the mother of 15-year-old Ghanaian boy Javits Frimpong, who was shot and killed while walking to school in New York. The teenager was fatally shot on Thursday, October 29, while walking to school in the Claremont neighbourhood of the Bronx. Javits Frimpong was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. and was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The murder of Javits Frimpong has sparked widespread sympathy, with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announcing the development in a post on X on Saturday, October 31, following a telephone conversation with President Trump. Mamdani expressed sympathy for the bereaved family and thanked President Trump for agreeing to help. He stated that the murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away.
The arrangement will allow Doris Adu Gyamfi, who is currently in Ghana, to travel to the United States to see her son for the last time. Ghana's government will fund her travel expenses so she can attend her son's funeral. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that the Government of Ghana will take care of the full cost of Madam Adu Gyamfi's travels and also stands ready to contribute towards a dignifying funeral.
Javits Frimpong was a 10th-grade student at DreamYard Preparatory School. He moved from Ghana to the United States in 2025 to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong. The 15-year-old's death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice. Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa welcomed the intervention by the two leaders, describing President Trump's decision as timely.
Minister Ablakwa said he had spoken with the bereaved mother on Friday and assigned officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to assist her with the visa application process. He also stated that Ghana would continue working with the relevant authorities to ensure justice for Javits. The Minister expressed appreciation for the swift response from President Trump and Mayor Mamdani.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that all of New York City is mourning the tragedy. He expressed gratitude to President Trump for granting the emergency visa, allowing Doris Adu Gyamfi to say goodbye to her son in person. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from the community, with many offering condolences to the bereaved family.
The Ghanaian government and the US authorities will work together to ensure that justice is served in the case of Javits Frimpong's murder. President Trump's decision to grant the emergency visa has been widely appreciated, and the Ghanaian government has pledged to support the family during this difficult time.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump grants emergency visa to Doris Adu Gyamfi.
- Ghanaian government to fund Doris Adu Gyamfi's travel expenses.
- Community mourns the tragic death of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong.
