Trump steps in as Ghana demands justice for slain teenager

US President Donald Trump has agreed to facilitate an emergency visa for the mother of a 15-year-old Ghanaian boy shot dead while walking to school in New York, following an appeal linked to the teenager’s killing.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the intervention on Saturday after speaking with Trump by telephone, saying the president had agreed to help Doris Gyamfi travel from Kumasi, Ghana, to attend to her son’s death.

However, the White House had not independently confirmed the arrangement as of Saturday evening, and it was unclear whether the visa had been issued.

The victim, Javits Frimpong, was shot in the abdomen in the Bronx while on his way to school. He was rushed to St Barnabas Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Police were searching for three suspected teenage attackers, but had not announced any arrests or established a motive as of Saturday.

Mamdani expressed sympathy for the bereaved family, saying: “The murder of a child is a pain no parent should have to endure, let alone from thousands of miles away.”

Frimpong moved from Ghana to the United States in October 2025 to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong, and continue his education.

His father said the teenager had hoped to become a physician, describing him as an intelligent boy with a promising future.

“He was very clever, so he always says he wants to be a physician,” the grieving father told reporters.

He also disclosed that his son had complained of persistent bullying at DreamYard Preparatory School. Two students were reportedly suspended, although police had not established any connection between the alleged bullying and the fatal shooting.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, contacted the bereaved father to convey condolences from President John Dramani Mahama and assure the family of government support.

“We will pursue justice, and we will make sure that those who did this do not get away with it,” Ablakwa said.

Ghanaian diplomats in New York also visited the family as the government demanded a thorough investigation and promised legal and consular assistance.

Welcoming Trump’s intervention, Ablakwa said Ghana would pay for the mother’s travel, assist with the visa process and support the funeral arrangements.

“The Government of Ghana welcomes your intervention and President Trump’s timely decision,” he said.

Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres also mourned the teenager, saying the community had lost a young person who should have had his whole future ahead of him.

The New York City Department of Education offered counselling to affected members of the school community and pledged to cooperate with investigators.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian residents, religious leaders and neighbours held vigils on Saturday, demanding justice as police continued their investigation.

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