12-year-old son of police officer shot dead in NYC bodega – community mourns

12-year-old son of police officer shot dead outside New York bodega

The tragic killing of Jacob Freytes, a 12‑year‑old whose father serves in the NYPD, shocked the borough on Tuesday. Witnesses said a single bullet struck the boy as he walked past the corner bodega on East 125th Street.

“He was a good kid, always respectful,” a neighbor recalled, his voice trembling.

City officials, including the Police Commissioner, promised a thorough investigation and vowed to increase patrols in the area. The incident adds to a ↓ 1 rise in youth‑related gun violence reported by Reuters last year. Community leaders urged calm, referencing how the pandemic era amplified social tensions. Mayor Eric Adams scheduled a town hall, emphasizing that no family should endure such loss. The case remains open, with detectives seeking any surveillance footage or eyewitness statements.

Words by Eleanor Cross (Chief Washington Correspondent).