US President Donald Trump has agreed to help secure a visa for the mother of a Ghanaian teenager who was fatally shot while on his way to school in New York City.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani disclosed the development on Saturday after Ghana urged a full investigation into the death of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong, a killing that has deeply affected the Bronx community.
“No parent should ever have to experience the loss of a child, especially while separated by thousands of miles,” Mamdani said.
The mayor said Trump made the commitment during a phone call and agreed to support the rapid issuance of a visa for Frimpong’s mother, Doris Gyamfi, who lives in Kumasi, Ghana.
By Saturday evening, the White House had not separately verified the arrangement, and it remained uncertain whether the visa had already been granted.
Frimpong was reportedly hit in the abdomen by gunfire one morning in a Bronx neighbourhood. Officers took him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators began searching for three teenage suspects.
The teenager had moved from Ghana in October 2025 to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong, intending to continue his schooling and build a better life.
His father told New York journalists that Javits was a bright student whose ambition was to become a doctor.
“He was very intelligent, and he would always say that he wanted to be a physician,” his father said.
Thomas Frimpong said his son had also reported repeated bullying at DreamYard Preparatory School. Two pupils were said to have been suspended following those complaints, though police have not identified any connection between the alleged bullying and the shooting.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa later contacted the boy’s father, conveying condolences from President John Dramani Mahama and promising government assistance for the family.
“We will seek justice and ensure that the people responsible cannot escape accountability,” Ablakwa said.
Ghanaian officials in New York also met with the family. The government called for a thorough inquiry and said it would provide consular and legal support to help ensure those responsible face consequences.
Responding to Mamdani’s statement, Ablakwa praised Trump’s involvement and said Ghana would pay for Gyamfi’s travel, help manage the visa application and contribute to funeral costs.
“The Government of Ghana appreciates your intervention and President Trump’s prompt decision,” he said, referring to cooperation between Ghanaian and US authorities.
Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres also offered condolences, saying: “Our whole borough is grieving for a young person who should have had his entire life and future before him.”
The New York City Department of Education expressed sympathy for Frimpong’s relatives and the school community and said it would assist the police inquiry.
“Our thoughts are with the family of this young person and the school community during this profoundly painful period,” the department said.
Members of the Ghanaian diaspora, faith leaders and local residents held vigils on Saturday to remember Frimpong and call for accountability. Police had made no arrests, and investigators had not yet determined a motive for the shooting.
