Cardi B speaks out on bullying after killing of Ghanaian teenager in Bronx

American rapper Cardi B has condemned bullying and raised concerns about the safety of children growing up in some New York neighbourhoods following the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian Javits Frimpong in the Bronx.

The Bronx-born musician addressed the teenager’s death during an Instagram Live session, questioning how anyone could decide to take the life of someone who had neither attacked nor harmed them.

She also drew attention to the challenges faced by children who move to the United States from other countries, particularly those arriving from Africa and the Dominican Republic.

According to Cardi B, immigrant children can face relentless bullying, including from people within their own communities, making it difficult for them to settle into their new environments.

She warned that persistent harassment could push some vulnerable children towards gangs as they seek protection and a sense of belonging. Reflecting on her own experiences growing up, she said bullying could leave innocent children feeling they needed to join a group to defend themselves.

The rapper also issued a warning to parents considering raising families in New York, saying she would not want her own children growing up in certain neighbourhoods or attending public schools in the city.

She encouraged families planning to relocate to the East Coast to consider places such as Pennsylvania instead.

Cardi B’s comments follow the killing of Frimpong, who was shot while walking to school in the Bronx on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The teenager, who moved from Ghana to the United States in 2025 to live with his father, was a student at DreamYard Preparatory School.

According to a report by Complex, Frimpong’s father, Thomas Frimpong, said the school principal had informed him that two students were suspended for bullying his son just days before the shooting. He suspects the attack may have been retaliation, although the motive has not been officially established.

Police are reportedly searching for three teenage boys captured on surveillance footage in connection with the shooting.

The teenager’s death has drawn attention to concerns about bullying, violence and the safety of young people in New York. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has also assured the bereaved family of the government’s support in pursuing justice.