BRONX — William Ferrer, 45, has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes. Judge Joseph Sorrentino ordered Ferrer to remain remanded on Rikers Island until his next court appearance on September 17.

The charges stem from an incident on July 25, when Freytes was fatally shot while riding his bicycle outside a bodega in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx. Police state that William Ferrer opened fire after a fight broke out on the street involving his brother. Freytes was struck in the chest by a stray bullet during the altercation and ran into Wanda Deli Grocery seeking help before collapsing. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Two other men were injured in the shooting, one in the buttocks and one in the foot. Ferrer waived his appearance in Bronx Criminal Court through his attorney Raymond Gazer. Shootings involving victims and perpetrators of all ages reached the lowest level in NYPD recorded history during the first six months of 2026.

NYPD data shows 49 youths under 18 were victims of shootings and 49 suspected shooters were under 18 in the first half of 2026. Youths under 18 accounted for nearly 22% of suspected shooters in the first half of 2026, compared to 8% in the same period of 2018. Total gun violence incidents involving young victims or shooters decreased in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, when there were 57 victims and 53 suspected shooters under 18.

Jacob Freytes' mother is Migdalia Martinez, who has called for legislation requiring life in prison for anyone who recklessly kills a child with a gun. His father is Jesus Freytes, a retired NYPD sergeant. A funeral service for Freytes was held at Castle Hill Funeral Home in Parkchester on Saturday. Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the funeral service and a prior vigil.

"This has been a murder that has shaken this entire neighborhood borough and city. This may be a new administration, but it’s already too many, too many community responses, too many children being stolen from our city." Mamdani said.

Friends of Freytes remembered him as a generous and playful child. "I feel sad cause I was with him before it all happened. Me and him were just playing with a cone and a bat, then he was riding his bike, taking turns, then he asked - he told me that he'll be right back and he's gonna go buy a ball. I'm like 'alright, be careful,' and yeah, that's the last time I saw him. a friend said."

Another peer recalled his kindness during the holidays. He comes down to my house every Christmas and he would give me like an action figure or something generous and I remember he bought me a gel blaster - his mom did and he brung it down to me and said 'here' and then we would be in the hallway just playing." the friend added."

Why It Matters

The fatal shooting of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes occurs as youths under 18 account for nearly 22% of suspected shooters, a significant increase from 8% in 2018. While overall shootings reached record lows in the first half of 2026, this incident shows the continued risk to children caught in street altercations involving adult perpetrators. The victim's mother is calling for new legislation mandating life imprisonment for those who recklessly kill children with guns, signaling potential changes to criminal penalties.