US President Donald Trump has agreed to facilitate a visa for the Ghanaian mother of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old teenager killed while walking to school in New York. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Trump's intervention on Saturday, as Ghana demanded justice for Frimpong, whose killing has shaken the Bronx. The mayor said Trump agreed during their telephone conversation to grant a visa immediately to the teenager's mother, Doris Gyamfi, who lives in Kumasi, Ghana.
Javits Frimpong was shot in the abdomen around morning in Bronx's neighbourhood. Police officers rushed him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead while investigators began searching for three suspected teenage assailants. The teenager had moved from Ghana in October 2025 to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong, hoping to pursue his education and build a promising future.
The elder Frimpong said his son had complained of persistent bullying at DreamYard Preparatory School, where two students were reportedly suspended, although police have not established any connection to the killing. "He was very clever, so he always says he wants to be a physician," his grieving father told newsmen in New York.
Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, subsequently contacted the bereaved father, conveying condolences from President John Dramani Mahama and promising government support. "We will pursue justice, and we will make sure that those who did this do not get away with it," Ablakwa declared.
Ghanaian diplomats in New York visited the family while the government demanded a thorough investigation and pledged legal and consular assistance to secure accountability. Following Mamdani's announcement, Ablakwa welcomed Trump's intervention and disclosed that Ghana would finance the mother's travel, assist with visa arrangements and support funeral expenses.
Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres also expressed grief, saying: "Our entire borough is mourning a young man who should have had his whole future ahead of him." The New York City Department of Education offered counselling and cooperation with investigators, stating: "Our hearts are with this young person's family and school community during this unimaginably difficult time."
Meanwhile, vigils brought together Ghanaian residents, religious leaders and neighbours demanding justice on Saturday as police continued investigating the killing without announcing arrests or establishing a motive. Key points include Trump's intervention in the visa process, Ghana's demand for justice, and the teenager's background and aspirations.
Key points
- Trump to facilitate visa for Doris Gyamfi
- Ghana demands justice for Javits Frimpong's killing
- Frimpong had aspirations to become a physician
