Trump grants immediate US visa to mother of slain Ghanaian teenager
By Anthonia Okonkwo –
US President Donald Trump has approved an immediate visa for the mother of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, Javits Frimpong, who was fatally shot while walking to school in the Bronx, New York, to enable her to travel to the United States and bid farewell to her son.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Saturday that Trump had agreed to grant Javits’ mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, an immediate visa to travel from Ghana to New York. “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,” he said.
Javits was shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, near East 171st Street and Crotona Place in the Bronx. He was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital but later died from his injuries. Police were reportedly searching for three teenage boys in connection with the shooting, with no arrests announced as of Sunday.
The teenager’s father, Thomas Frimpong, believes the killing could be connected to bullying his son allegedly experienced at school. He said the school principal had previously informed him that two students involved in an incident with Javits had been suspended.
Recalling his son’s account of the alleged bullying, Thomas said, “He said, ‘Dad, any time I am going to lunch, that guy keeps on bullying me.’ He said, ‘I have been reporting him several times.’” However, police have not publicly established any connection between the alleged bullying and the fatal shooting.
Describing his son during an emotional interview with CBS News New York, Thomas said, “It’s not easy for me. It’s not easy for me. He’s my everything. I’m here with him alone”. Javits reportedly moved from Ghana to the United States about a year ago to live with his father.
The Ghanaian government has also pledged support for the bereaved mother following the teenager’s death.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, welcomed the development and announced that the government would cover the mother’s travel expenses and contribute towards a dignified funeral for Javits. He also said Ghana would continue working with US authorities to ensure those responsible for the teenager’s death were brought to justice.
