Full Breakdown
Fatal Shooting of 12-Year-Old Jacob Freytes in the Bronx
7/27/2026, 12:42:06 AM
Fatal Shooting in Mount Eden
On a Saturday afternoon in the Mount Eden neighborhood of the Bronx, a fight erupted outside a bodega at the corner of Walton Avenue and Elliot Place. A man drew a firearm and fired, striking 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, who was riding his bike nearby. Video released by the NYPD shows the boy running into the store, clutching his left shoulder before collapsing. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two other men—one 34 years old and another 25—were wounded in the foot and buttocks, respectively, and are expected to survive.
Arrest of William Ferrer
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that 45-year-old William Ferrer was taken into custody outside his Bronx home the following day. Ferrer faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He is also accused of the two additional shootings that injured the other men.
Official Response
The department confirmed that detectives linked Ferrer to the incident after reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements.
Community Reactions
Neighbor Walter Colon recalled seeing Jacob moments before the shooting, calling him a “good bright kid” who loved basketball.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Jacob Freytes, 12 years old, struck in the left shoulder.
- Suspect: William Ferrer, 45 years old, arrested on murder-related charges.
- Injured bystanders: a 34-year-old man (left foot) and a 25-year-old man (buttocks).
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jacob was an innocent bystander on his bike when he was taken from his family yesterday in an act of senseless gun violence,” — Ms. Tisch, bullet police commissioner
- “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,” — Jessica Tisch, bullet police commissioner
- “On Saturday, July 25th, 2026 will forever mark the darkest day of my family’s life. My brother called me with news that my nephew was shot and killed on Elliot St. Bronx, NY. A victim and another statistic of gun violence on our streets,” — Bruni Freytes
- “In my mind he is still here, and I, his titi, reprimanding him to put away his clothes, his bike, and not eat in the room. But this boy is in my heart forever; the boy that was and the man he was shaping up to be.” — Neighbor Walter Colon
- “There’s nothing much you can say. Wrong place at the wrong time,” — Neighbor Walter Colon
