NEW YORK CITY, NY - A shooting outside of Bronx bodega claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left two others injured, with reports noting the child killed during the incident was an innocent bystander and the son of a retired police sergeant.
An arrest has been made following a shooting that took place outside of a Bronx bodega located near the intersection of Elliot Place and Walton Avenue on the afternoon of July 25. Authorities said 12-year-old Jacob Freytes was struck when gunfire erupted during a physical altercation outside the establishment.
The young victim was identified asthe son of retired NYPD Detective Sergeant Jesus Freytes.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Jacob running inside the bodega after being struck before collapsing to the floor. First responders transported him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Freytes was reportedly about a block away from his home when the shooting occurred. A family friend told local media, “They're great kids, they were just riding their bikes, minding their business all the time and always at home. And just to hear this is heartbreaking. It’s really heartbreaking.”
Two other people were injured in the shooting. Authorities identified them as men ages 25 and 34.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the arrest of 45-year-old William Ferrer on July 26. Ferrer is facing charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
While police now have a suspect in custody, Tisch emphasized in a statement, “No arrest can ever ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, but the NYPD will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for Jacob.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani also issued a statement regarding the shooting, saying, “Our children should be able to ride their bikes on a nice summer day in their neighborhood without fear of being shot. We cannot accept this violence as normal,” adding that he’s “praying for the speedy recovery of the other two victims of this shooting.”
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