A mother in the Bronx, whose son previously received a bike from her to ride, expressed her anger towards Mayor Zoran Mamdani for not improving safety in a gang-plagued neighborhood. Her son, 12-year-old Jacob Fraites, was tragically shot while riding that bike near a warehouse.
On Saturday afternoon, a gang member reportedly fired shots at rivals outside a convenience store, and Jacob was hit by a stray bullet.
Milady Rosario, a local resident and mother of four—one of whom is Jacob’s friend—criticized the mayor for failing to address the ongoing gang violence in the Mount Eden area, particularly where Jacob was fatally wounded. “I think the mayor, who is at a parade right now, should be more involved. There are many gang members around here,” she remarked, referring to the Dominican parade the mayor was attending.
She continued, “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened in the area. He should be aware of the gang presence and take steps to address it.” Rosario pointed out that despite the mayor’s claims of tackling violence, the reality on the ground tells a different story. She noted, “There used to be police on that corner, but there was no one there yesterday.”
Recalling the joy Jacob showed when he received the bike only a day before his death, she said, “I bought my daughter a new bike and offered him hers. His reaction was just so grateful. It made him really happy.” Unfortunately, that joy was cut short.
Rosario expressed her fear for her children’s safety, stating, “This child was just riding his bike and got shot. It’s terrifying.”
The Mount Eden neighborhood has been associated with violent gangs, including the Trinitarios and Cebu Side Pinni, and authorities are looking into their possible involvement in Jacob’s shooting.
William Ferrer, 45, was apprehended near his home on Sunday in connection with Jacob’s murder. Ferrer has a long history of arrests dating back to 1999, covering various offenses including drug and DUI charges.
In response to the shooting, Mayor Mamdani expressed deep sorrow for Jacob’s family. He stated, “Their loss is unimaginable. We hope the other victims recover quickly. We appreciate the efforts of the hospital staff and NYPD in seeking justice for this terrible event.” He emphasized that children should be able to enjoy their neighborhoods without fear of violence.
Jacob’s father, a retired New York City police sergeant, had previously worked in the area where the incident took place.
Jacob’s friend Marlin, also 12, reflected on how unfortunate it was for him to be in “the wrong place at the wrong time.” Their father, Daniel Rosario, shared how profoundly this incident has affected his children. “They’re traumatized. My daughter cried all night, and they no longer feel safe playing outside,” he explained, recalling moments of their neighborhood basketball games with Jacob.
