Trump Orders Immediate U.S. Visa for Mother of 15-Year-Old Ghanaian Boy Shot Dead in New York

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that US President Donald Trump has agreed to grant an immediate visa to the mother of 15-year-old Ghanaian boy, Javits Frimpong, who was fatally shot while walking to school in the Bronx, New York.

Mamdani disclosed the development on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following a telephone conversation with Trump concerning the teenager’s death and his mother’s desire to travel from Ghana to the United States to bid him farewell.

In a post on X, the mayor said no parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child, particularly when separated by thousands of miles.

“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.

“I just got off the phone with President Trump, and he has agreed to grant her a visa immediately. All of New York City is mourning this tragedy,” Mamdani wrote.

The announcement followed widespread concern over the killing of Frimpong, who reportedly moved from Ghana to New York about a year ago to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong.

Ghanaian Government Steps In to Assist Bereaved Mother

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, welcomed the intervention by Mamdani and Trump’s decision, confirming that the Ghanaian government was already assisting the deceased teenager’s mother, Doris Adu Gyamfi, with the visa application process.

Ablakwa disclosed that he had spoken with Gyamfi on Friday and assigned officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate her travel to the United States.

He further announced that the administration of President John Mahama would cover the full cost of her journey and was prepared to contribute towards the funeral arrangements for her son.

The foreign affairs minister also assured the family of the government’s commitment to working with US authorities to ensure justice for the deceased teenager.

How 15-Year-Old Javits Frimpong Was Killed

Frimpong was reportedly shot in the abdomen shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, while walking to school near East 171st Street and Crotona Place in the Claremont neighbourhood of the Bronx.

According to police reports, officers who responded to the incident rushed the teenager to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The shooting occurred close to the apartment where he lived with his father.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the killing and are searching for teenage boys suspected of being connected to the incident. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday, October 31, while the circumstances surrounding the shooting and a possible motive remained unclear.

Father Raises Concerns Over Alleged School Bullying

Meanwhile, Thomas Frimpong has raised concerns about alleged bullying his son experienced at school before his death.

According to accounts reported by US media, the bereaved father said the school’s principal had informed him that two students were allegedly disturbing his son and had subsequently suspended them.

Thomas reportedly contacted Javits after learning about the development, but the teenager reassured him that he was fine.

The father’s account has drawn attention to the circumstances preceding the fatal shooting. However, authorities have not established any connection between the alleged bullying and the teenager’s killing.

New York Education Authorities Offer Support

Following the tragedy, the New York City Department of Education announced that it was providing counselling and other forms of support to students, families and school staff affected by the incident.

The killing has also sparked grief within the Ghanaian community in New York, with calls for a thorough investigation and justice for the teenager.

As the investigation continues, the visa arrangement announced by Mamdani is expected to enable Gyamfi to travel from Ghana to reunite with her family and say a final goodbye to her son.