William Ferrer, 45, has been charged with murder after a 12-year-old boy, Jacob Freytes, was killed by a stray bullet while riding his bicycle in the Bronx. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon outside Wanda Deli Grocery on Elliot Place near the Grand Concourse. Ferrer faces multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder and manslaughter, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD). Freytes was struck in the shoulder and later pronounced dead at NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Freytes' death as an act of gun violence. Surveillance footage shows Freytes exiting the bodega shortly before the shooting, after which he attempted to return inside but collapsed. Two other men were also injured in the gunfire, with one shot in the foot and another in the buttocks, both in stable condition.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed condolences to Freytes' family and emphasized that children should be able to play safely in their neighborhoods. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams' office also mourned the loss, highlighting the need for improved safety measures. Ferrer has a history of legal issues dating back to 1999, including arrests for drug possession and driving offenses. The spokesperson for the United Bodegas of America, Fernando Mateo, called the incident a reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in New York City.