Mayor joins family at rally to honor 12-year-old who was fatally shot in the Bronx
The rally brought together Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, representatives from community organizations and residents, who joined Jacob's family in mourning and urging action to prevent future gun violence.
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Family members, neighbors, elected officials and community organizations gathered Friday evening to honor the life of Jacob Freytes, the 12-year-old boy who was fatally shot in Mount Eden nearly one week earlier.
The rally brought together Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, representatives from community organizations and residents, who joined Jacob's family in mourning and urging action to prevent future gun violence.
"This has been a murder that has shaken our entire neighborhood, borough and city," Mamdani said.
The evening began with a prayer led by Pastor Henry, who asked for strength for Jacob's family.
"God, I pray for this family that you will give them strength," he said.
Signs that read "Put the Guns Down" and "Save Our Streets" were held by attendees as speakers remembered Jacob and called for safer neighborhoods.
Jacob's mother addressed the crowd and spoke directly to Mamdani, urging the city to increase its police presence in the neighborhood.
"If there were cops here, would he take out a gun? Would there be a fight if there were two cops at each end here? Not at all," she said.
Jacob's cousin, Mikey Jacobs, reflected on growing up in the neighborhood and said children today have fewer opportunities and safe spaces.
"[When] I was 12 years old, I'd ride my bike to the same store to get a ball, too. The same exact block had block parties to these communities, we had sports programs... now we don't have none of that. They closed the park where could our kids be kids," Jacobs said.
Family members, cousins and mentors honored Jacob by completing 12 pushups in tribute to the 12-year-old.
Mamdani said the city cannot accept the continued loss of children to gun violence.
"This may be a new administration but it is already too many community responses, too many children being stolen from our city," he said.
Gibson also called for illegal guns to be removed from city streets.
"These illegal guns, we need to get rid of the guns," Gibson said.
The rally concluded with Jacob's mother reading a final message to her son through tears.
"We may not have gotten the chance to meet your wife, your children or other descendants, but your legacy will be bigger than that," she said.
Attendees then released balloons into the sky in Jacob's memory as the crowd observed a final tribute to the 12-year-old.
Police charged 45-year-old William Ferrer in connection with Jacob's death. He pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter and other charges.
His case remains pending.
