Ghana envoy expects US police to identify killers of teenager shot dead in New York

Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, says he expects American investigators to make progress in identifying those behind the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong in New York.

He has called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the motive for the killing and determine whether it was connected to allegations that Javits had been bullied at school.

Mr Smith believes surveillance recordings from the area could provide important leads, even though reports indicate the attackers wore masks during the incident. He expressed confidence that the police would use available records and other evidence to track down those responsible.

He also wants investigators to establish whether the suspects had any links to the student alleged to have bullied Javits, or to others involved in the incident. However, he cautioned against assuming that the alleged bully took part in the shooting without evidence.

On Channel One TV on Monday, November 2, the Ambassador said the investigation must establish whether the killing was retaliation for the bullying incident and the punishment reportedly imposed on the student accused of bullying Javits.

“I expect that they will conduct a thorough investigation to establish that the people who perpetrated that crime were the very people or connected with the people who did the bullying. There’s a need to establish that it wasn’t something else,” he said.

He added that he was not in a position to determine whether the alleged bully was directly involved, noting that investigators would have to establish any connection through their inquiries and relevant school records.

Meanwhile, residents of the Bronx neighbourhood where Javits was killed are expected to organise a vigil on Thursday, November 5, to remember the teenager and call for action against youth violence.