Mayor Mamdani and Trump intervene with visa to fly slain Ghanaian teen’s mother to New York

The mother of Javits Frimpong, the 15-year-old Ghanaian boy who was fatally shot on his way to school in the Bronx, will be granted a visa immediately so she can travel to the United States to say a final goodbye to her son.

New York City Mayor Mamdani announced the development on Saturday, revealing that he had spoken with President Trump, who agreed to grant the visa immediately.

“The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away. 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,” Mamdani wrote in a post on X. “All of New York City is mourning this tragedy.”

The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away. 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. All of New York City is mourning this tragedy.

The teenager was fatally shot on Thursday morning while walking to school. The suspects, three teenaged boys, wanted in connection with the shooting are still on the run, according to the police.

The development comes as religious leaders, family members, and community members gathered in the Bronx on Friday to remember Frimpong at the exact location where he collapsed after the shooting. Those attending prayed for the borough and called on young people to stop the violence that continues to claim lives in the community. The event, organised by religious leaders, drew people whose own families have experienced similar tragedies.

Among those in attendance was Leandra Feliz, the mother of Junior Guzman, who was killed in 2018 at age 15 in what was described as a case of mistaken identity.

Fourteen Trinitarios gang members slashed him in the neck with machetes, and he made his way to the steps of St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. Asked what advice she would offer Frimpong’s family, Ms Feliz said, “I’m only here to show support to the family because here we are again, another child of 15-years-old lost and I just want to be here to let the family know I’m here.”

Frimpong’s father, Thomas, said he knows who was responsible for the shooting, noting that his son had been bullied at school and that those involved had recently been suspended.

In a statement, the New York City Department of Education said, “Our hearts are with this young person’s family and school community during this unimaginably difficult time. We are making counseling and other supports are available to students, families, and staff who need them, and supporting NYPD as they investigate.”

Frimpong’s father said he brought his son from Ghana to live with him in New York about a year ago in hopes of a better life.