Justice for Javits: Make Schools Act Before Bullying Turns Deadly
The Issue
On October 29, 2026, 15-year-old Javits Frimpong was shot and killed near Crotona Park in the Bronx while walking to school. He had moved from Ghana exactly one year earlier to live with his father and build a better future.
His father believes the killing is connected to bullying. Days before, the school principal told him two students had been suspended for bullying his son, and that Javits had only been defending himself.
The school knew. The response was a one-week suspension. Then a child was dead.
Right now, no federal law directly addresses bullying. Too often, physical bullying and threats are treated as minor school discipline when they should trigger a serious safety response. Students targeted for their accent, skin color, country of origin, or anything they cannot change are left to protect themselves.
As mental health professionals, we see the consequences every day: depression, anxiety, school avoidance, self-harm, and suicide. No child should also have to fear being killed.
We are calling on lawmakers and school leaders to:
Require escalation of physical or threatening bullying. When bullying involves violence, weapons, or threats of harm, schools must notify law enforcement and both families and create a written safety plan for the targeted student.
Hold schools accountable. Schools that are warned about serious bullying and fail to act must face real consequences.
Pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1810). Every school should be required to adopt clear anti-bullying policies that protect students targeted for their race, national origin, and other characteristics.
Fund mental health support. Every student who is bullied, and every student who witnesses it, should have access to counseling and support.
"They're just kids" can't be the answer anymore. Javits deserved to make it to school. Every child does.
Please also support Javits' family. His cousin has set up the official GoFundMe, "Support for Javits Frimpong's Family," to help with funeral, burial, and other expenses. Please donate only through this verified link:
gofundme.com/f/support-for-javits-frimpongs-family
Sign. Share. Speak up. Justice for Javits. 🕊️
— Serenity Wellness Mental Health Center
168
The Issue
On October 29, 2026, 15-year-old Javits Frimpong was shot and killed near Crotona Park in the Bronx while walking to school. He had moved from Ghana exactly one year earlier to live with his father and build a better future.
His father believes the killing is connected to bullying. Days before, the school principal told him two students had been suspended for bullying his son, and that Javits had only been defending himself.
The school knew. The response was a one-week suspension. Then a child was dead.
Right now, no federal law directly addresses bullying. Too often, physical bullying and threats are treated as minor school discipline when they should trigger a serious safety response. Students targeted for their accent, skin color, country of origin, or anything they cannot change are left to protect themselves.
As mental health professionals, we see the consequences every day: depression, anxiety, school avoidance, self-harm, and suicide. No child should also have to fear being killed.
We are calling on lawmakers and school leaders to:
Require escalation of physical or threatening bullying. When bullying involves violence, weapons, or threats of harm, schools must notify law enforcement and both families and create a written safety plan for the targeted student.
Hold schools accountable. Schools that are warned about serious bullying and fail to act must face real consequences.
Pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1810). Every school should be required to adopt clear anti-bullying policies that protect students targeted for their race, national origin, and other characteristics.
Fund mental health support. Every student who is bullied, and every student who witnesses it, should have access to counseling and support.
"They're just kids" can't be the answer anymore. Javits deserved to make it to school. Every child does.
Please also support Javits' family. His cousin has set up the official GoFundMe, "Support for Javits Frimpong's Family," to help with funeral, burial, and other expenses. Please donate only through this verified link:
gofundme.com/f/support-for-javits-frimpongs-family
Sign. Share. Speak up. Justice for Javits. 🕊️
— Serenity Wellness Mental Health Center
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Petition created on October 30, 2026