Javits Frimpong Murder: 17-year-old suspect charged with intentional murder, manslaughter

The 17-year-old suspect arrested over the murder of Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong in New York has been charged with intentional murder, manslaughter, second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

The charges were announced by US lawyer Ben Crump, who was engaged by the Government of Ghana to represent the bereaved family, during a press conference on November 11, 2026.

"We will get justice for Javits Frimpong," he assured.

Before the announcement, the New York Post reported that the suspect had been arrested by the NYPD Violent Crimes Task Force.

Javits, a Ghanaian immigrant, was shot in the stomach on October 29, 2026, near East 171st Street and Third Avenue while walking to school.

He later died from his injuries.

A disturbing video of the incident showed the teenager running away after being shot before collapsing.

His father, Thomas Frimpong, described him as a "very quiet" boy and said he suspected that bullying may have played a role in his son's death.

According to him, the school principal contacted him two days before the incident to report that his son had been bullied.

"He said two boys were fighting with my son, and the two boys got suspended," the father recounted.

Javits Frimpong Murder: 17-year-old taken into custody as police hunt other suspects

Last week, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirmed that investigators were looking into the bullying allegations as part of their investigations into the murder.

Kenny said the alleged bullying was "one aspect that we’re looking at, as well as some others."

He also described Javits as a student who took his education seriously and spent much of his time on schoolwork.

"He would come home, do his homework, and then he would jump on his phone periodically," Kenny said. "But he was very, very into his schoolwork."

Meanwhile, Ghana's Permanent Representative to the United Nations said the decision to engage Ben Crump to provide legal assistance to the bereaved family followed careful consideration.

He expressed confidence in the lawyer's ability to handle the case and thanked him and Reverend Al Sharpton for their swift intervention.

"We couldn't have settled on a more brilliant and a devoted attorney. We are eternally grateful to him. The Government of Ghana has asked me to convey his deepest gratitude to him and also to Reverend Al Sharpton for taking quick action in this matter," he said.

A juvenile suspect has reportedly been charged in connection with Javits’ killing. While these charges mark an important step toward accountability, the questions remain: WHY did this happen, and could it have been prevented? His family deserves answers and justice! https://t.co/2EnjljmCFn

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) November 11, 2026

AK/AM