The family of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong, who was fatally shot while walking to school in the Bronx, New York, has engaged prominent American civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them as investigations into the killing continue.
Crump, who is widely recognised for representing families in high-profile cases involving the deaths of young Black Americans, has pledged to pursue accountability and demand answers for the bereaved family.
Javits was killed on October 29, 2026, approximately a year after relocating from Ghana to the United States to live with his father. The teenager reportedly aspired to become a medical doctor.
In a statement issued on November 6 and shared with theGrio, Crump confirmed that his law firm had formally taken up the family’s case.
He expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, noting that every child should be able to travel to school without fear for their safety.
Crump further assured the family that his legal team would stand by them throughout the process and work towards ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
Ben Crump’s history of high-profile civil rights cases
The decision to engage Crump brings an internationally recognised legal advocate into the case.
Over the years, he has represented families in several prominent cases involving young Black Americans who lost their lives in violent circumstances.
Among the notable cases he handled were those involving 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot in Florida in 2012, and 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was killed by police officers in Cleveland in 2014.
The cases attracted widespread public attention and generated discussions about racial justice, public safety and accountability within the American justice system.
In the Trayvon Martin case, George Zimmerman was acquitted by a jury in 2013. In the Tamir Rice case, a grand jury declined to indict the officers involved, while the City of Cleveland subsequently reached a $6 million civil settlement with the family without admitting liability.
Crump’s involvement in the Frimpong case is expected to bring additional legal attention to the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s killing.
Police continue search for three suspects
Meanwhile, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is continuing its investigation into the shooting, with officers searching for three suspects believed to have been involved.
The incident occurred near the intersection of East 171st Street and Crotona Place in the Bronx.
According to reports, Javits was shot in the abdomen during the attack. He reportedly managed to run a short distance before collapsing and was subsequently transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators have been reviewing surveillance footage from the area as part of efforts to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Available footage reportedly shows an individual fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting.
Police have also appealed for information that could assist in locating the three suspects, who were reportedly seen wearing masks near the area.
No arrests had been announced in connection with the killing at the time of the report.
Investigators examine alleged school bullying
Authorities are also investigating reports that Javits may have experienced bullying before his death.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny confirmed that investigators were examining the possibility that previous conflicts at school could have been connected to the shooting.
He indicated that detectives were looking into reports of harassment involving the teenager.
Javits’ father, Thomas Frimpong, had earlier disclosed that his son complained about being bullied by some students at school.
According to him, school authorities had informed him that two students accused of repeatedly bullying his son had been suspended shortly before the fatal incident.
Police are seeking relevant school records to establish whether the reported incidents had any connection to the shooting.
However, investigators have not officially established a motive, and no direct link between the alleged bullying and the killing has been confirmed.
Bronx community holds vigil for the deceased
The teenager’s death has generated grief and concern among residents, members of the Ghanaian community and other well-wishers in New York.
The National Ghana Parade Council organised a candlelight vigil in the Bronx to honour Javits’ memory and show solidarity with his family.
The gathering brought together neighbours, students, community representatives and other mourners who called for justice and greater protection for young people.
During the ceremony, speakers expressed sadness over the loss of a teenager whose life had been cut short while pursuing his education.
Javits’ brother, Kenneth Frimpong, also expressed appreciation to members of the community for the support extended to the family during the difficult period.
He described his late brother as a promising student who had a particular interest in science.
Other residents used the gathering to raise concerns about increasing violence involving young people in the Bronx, calling for stronger community interventions and efforts to protect children.
Youth organisations call for action against bullying and violence
The tragedy has also prompted discussions among youth advocates and community organisations about school bullying, conflict resolution and violence prevention.
Dr Iesha Sekou, founder of the nonprofit organisation Street Corner Resources, participated in discussions aimed at encouraging young people to speak up about bullying rather than remain silent.
The organisation brought together students and young people from different parts of New York, including Harlem, to examine the challenges confronting teenagers and explore ways to prevent similar incidents.
Community advocates stressed the importance of early intervention, stronger support systems and creating safer environments for students both in and outside school.
Ghanaian government supports family as mother travels to the US
Meanwhile, Javits’ mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, has received assistance to travel from Ghana to the United States to make funeral arrangements and bid farewell to her son.
Her travel arrangements followed diplomatic intervention involving New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and US President Donald Trump.
Mayor Mamdani announced that President Trump had agreed to facilitate an immediate visa for the grieving mother after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, subsequently confirmed that the government would cover the full cost of her travel and provide additional support towards organising a dignified funeral.
At the airport before her departure, Madam Gyamfi expressed her desire to obtain justice for her son and thanked those who had supported the family.
She was accompanied by Dr Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission of the African Diaspora Forum, alongside other family members.
The Ghanaian government has also indicated its readiness to provide the necessary diplomatic, consular and legal assistance as the investigation progresses.
Family and community demand justice
The engagement of Ben Crump adds another dimension to the growing calls for accountability over Javits Frimpong’s death.
With the NYPD continuing its search for the suspects and examining possible links to the reported school bullying, the family is awaiting answers about the circumstances that led to the fatal attack.
The tragedy has also raised wider concerns about the safety of young immigrants and students in the United States, particularly during their daily journeys to and from school.
For the Frimpong family, however, the immediate priority remains obtaining justice for Javits and ensuring that the circumstances surrounding his death are fully established.
At just 15 years old, the teenager had moved from Ghana with hopes of pursuing an education and becoming a doctor. His death has left his family and communities in both Ghana and the United States mourning a future that will never be realised.
Javits Frimpong’s family hires Ben Crump as NYPD hunts three suspects in fatal shooting
