Son of retired NYPD sergeant, 12, killed in Bronx stray shooting; suspect charged
MOUNT EDEN, Bronx (WABC) -- A 12-year-old Bronx boy who police say was an innocent bystander killed by stray gunfire has been identified as the son of a retired NYPD detective sergeant, according to the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
As family, friends and neighbors mourn Jacob Freytes, known to loved ones as "Kai," police arrested and charged a suspect in the deadly shooting.
The Sergeants Benevolent Association confirmed Jacob Freytes was the son of retired Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes. In a statement, the union said it was "saddened" by the loss and called on prosecutors to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law.
Police say 45-year-old William Ferrer was arrested outside his Bronx home Sunday and charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the shooting.
Authorities say Ferrer was arguing with five other people near Elliot Place and Walton Avenue in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx when he shot into the group. A 25-year-old man was shot in the buttocks and a 34-year-old man was shot in the left foot. Both are expected to survive and are listed in stable condition.
Investigators say Jacob Freytes was not involved in the dispute and had gone to a nearby bodega to buy a ball when gunfire erupted. He was struck in the shoulder and ran inside the store seeking safety before collapsing. He was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead.
The community came together Monday at a growing vigil for Freytes.
"Lift the family up in prayer please, they definitely need it, the kids are hurting, kids that that were playing with him the moment before he died," family member Julio Lopez said.
Investigators believe the two other men who were shot were the intended targets and are considering the shooting to be possibly gang-related with the Trinitarios and Sev Side Pinni operating in the area.
Ferrer has an arrest record dating back to 1999 and survived a shooting in 2006.
Ferrer was arraigned Monday in Bronx Criminal Court, where a judge ordered him held without bail. His case is scheduled to return for grand jury action on July 31.
"No arrest can ever ease the pain of this unimaginable loss," said NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch. "But the NYPD will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for Jacob." The shooting comes barely two months after the commissioner shifted resources to The Bronx, after dividing the borough into two distinct patrol bureaus.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about the tragedy.
"We can never say enough has been done when we are seeing our children being killed on our streets," Mamdani said.
The family of Freytes said the shooting is a scar on the neighborhood.
Citywide, major crime is down 6.5% and shootings are down 7%.
Major crime is also down in The Bronx by roughly 7%.
But shootings in the Bronx are up an average of 3.5% and here, in the 44th precinct, shootings are up 27% and shooting victims are up over 28%.
This neighborhood has the highest increase in shootings of any neighborhood in The Bronx. Officers seized 16 guns on Sunday, including an assault rifle.
"I am so appreciative of the work of our NYPD, of having gotten more than 2,000 guns off of the streets in these first seven months. And in the fact that they have already apprehended William Ferrer for the murder of Jacob and for the shooting of two others. And yet we also know that we can never say that enough has been done when we are seeing our children being killed on our streets," Mayor Mamdani said.
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