A 17-year-old suspect could face a murder indictment over the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Javits Frimpong in the Bronx, New York.
Thierno Jalloh was arrested after Frimpong was shot while walking to school on October 29. Two other suspects remain at large.
A Bronx grand jury is expected to consider the case, as the victim’s family continues demanding justice.
Prosecutors allege that Jalloh and two other people were involved in the attack. Frimpong was reportedly shot in the stomach around 9:30 a.m. while heading to DreamYard Preparatory School.
Jalloh appeared briefly in court on Thursday. He faces murder, manslaughter and weapons charges and remains in detention without bail.
He is expected to return to court on Monday. The grand jury will consider whether there is enough evidence to indict him.
According to the criminal complaint, an acquaintance identified Jalloh in surveillance footage during a police interview. Prosecutors also cited ballistic evidence and witness information linking him and two others to the shooting.
However, the other two alleged suspects had not been arrested as of Thursday afternoon. Jalloh’s legal representatives declined to comment after his court appearance.
Frimpong’s family said the teenager had recently moved from Ghana to New York. He joined his father, who relocated to the United States in 2000.
The killing has drawn attention from civil rights advocates, including Reverend Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump. Crump is representing the teenager’s family.
Outside the courthouse, supporters gathered and called for justice. Some carried Frimpong’s photograph, while others shouted, “Justice for Javits.”
Crump said prosecutors told the family that investigators did not believe the shooters attended Frimpong’s school. They also reportedly found no link to an earlier bullying incident.
The attorney condemned gun violence and its impact on young people.
“Young people being able to get access to guns and cause irreparable harm not only to Javits’ family, but also to themselves I mean, it is a tragedy upon tragedy that everybody loses in this situation,” he said.
He added: “It has to be a teachable moment to lead to a greater discussion about stopping gun violence in our community.”
Frimpong’s sister, Millicent, said the arrest brought little comfort despite her relief that a suspect had been apprehended.
