Police Arrest Teen in Connection with Ghanaian Boy's Murder in New York

The New York Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Ghanaian student, Javits Frimpong. Frimpong was shot while walking to school in the Bronx on October 29, 2026.

The NYPD shared news of the arrest on its official X account on Wednesday. They said detectives took the teenager into custody earlier that morning, and he is being charged with murder.

“Earlier this morning, NYPD detectives arrested a 17-year-old male for the murder of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong on October 29, 2026 in the Bronx. He is being charged with murder.

“The NYPD will be relentless in our efforts to get dangerous people out of our communities, especially when it involves the murder of a 15-year-old boy,” the police department stated.

According to ABC7 New York, the suspect was taken to the 42nd Precinct for questioning on Wednesday morning. Reports say he is also facing manslaughter and firearm-related charges.

The police have not released the suspect’s name because he is a minor. They have also not shared a motive for the shooting.

Javits Frimpong was shot in the stomach on October 29 while walking to school near East 171st Street and Crotona Place in the Bronx’s Claremont area. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.

The Guardian reported on October 30 that Javits had moved to the United States from Ghana about a year earlier to be with his father, Thomas Frimpong. His father mentioned that his son had spoken about bullying at school, and two students had reportedly been suspended for harassment.

But investigators have not found a connection between the alleged bullying and the deadly shooting. The latest arrest was also mentioned by the Associated Press on Wednesday, November 11.

AP noted that investigators looked into bullying, robbery, and other possible motives, but police have not confirmed any motive yet. The arrest comes as Frimpong’s family and members of the Ghanaian community call for justice over his death.