American rapper Cardi B has reacted to the tragic killing of 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager Javits Frimpong in New York, sharing her concerns about bullying, school violence and the pressure young people face while growing up in some New York neighbourhoods.

The rapper spoke during an Instagram Live session following Frimpong's death, questioning the growing hostility among young people and describing how bullying can affect children who are simply trying to go about their daily lives.

Cardi B, who grew up in the Bronx, said the incident reinforced her decision never to raise her children in certain New York neighbourhoods or send them to public schools in the city.

“What happened to Javits is the reason why I would never raise a kid in the Bronx. I would never raise a kid in Harlem. I would never raise a kid in Washington Heights,” she said.

The rapper went further to describe growing up in some New York neighbourhoods as a struggle for survival, arguing that the popular advice to mind one's business to avoid trouble does not always work.

According to her, bullying can begin as early as primary school, with children facing hostility from their classmates long before reaching secondary school.

During the broadcast, Cardi B explained how repeated bullying could affect a child's sense of safety and belonging.

She argued that children who are constantly picked on may eventually seek protection by associating with groups or gangs because they want to feel safe and have people who will stand up for them.

“You could be an innocent kid minding your business. Next thing you know, you constantly getting picked on,” she said.

She added that some children might eventually want to join a gang simply to have a group of people who can protect them from further harassment.

Drawing from her own experiences growing up in New York, the rapper suggested that the situation was something she could personally relate to.

Her comments also extended to immigrant children, particularly those arriving from African countries and the Dominican Republic. She argued that newcomers could experience bullying from different groups, including people from their own communities.

Cardi's reaction has brought renewed attention to the relationship between childhood bullying, peer pressure and gang culture, particularly in communities where young people struggle to find a sense of belonging.

Javits Frimpong was a 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager who moved to New York in 2025 to reunite with his father, Thomas Frimpong.

He attended DreamYard Preparatory School in the Bronx and reportedly hoped to become a doctor.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Javits was walking to school when he was shot near East 171st Street and Crotona Place, close to Crotona Park.

According to reports, police officers responding to the incident found him with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he later died.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed the teenager running before collapsing, while individuals dressed in dark clothing were seen fleeing the area.

Police were searching for three teenage suspects in connection with the shooting.

Following the incident, Javits' father, Thomas Frimpong, spoke about the difficulties his son had reportedly experienced at school.

He disclosed that the school's principal had informed him that two students were involved in bullying his son and had subsequently been suspended.

According to his account, Javits had also complained about being repeatedly harassed during lunchtime and had reported the behaviour to school authorities.

His father believes the shooting may have been connected to the earlier bullying incidents, although investigators have not established a motive or confirmed any connection between the reported school incidents and the killing.

A school bus aide also told CBS News New York that he was aware of at least two students being suspended over bullying involving Javits.

The teenager's death has left his family and community devastated, with many demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.