Mayor Zohran Mamdani is too busy obsessing over his image to help prevent tragedies such as the fatal shooting of an ex-Finest’s innocent 12-year-old as he walked to a bodega, a prominent activist charged Sunday.
Fernando Mateo, founder of United Bodega Owners of America, slammed the lefty mayor for watching a FIFA World Cup game with inmates at Rikers Island in a publicity stunt earlier this month while rampant gunplay continues to plague the city’s streets — and claimed the life of beloved young Jacob Freytas on Saturday.
The gunfire erupted outside the bodega on Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse. United Bodegas of America
Innocent 12-year-old Jacob Freytas was shot during the melee, as he rushed into the bodega for safety. United Bodegas of America
“Where is Mamdani?” Mateo seethed at outside the Mount Eden bodega where the boy was shot.
“If you’re in jail, you’re in jail for a reason! Teach [inmates] a skill if you want. But don’t go out there watching a freaking FIFA game! And enjoying dinner with people that are in jail because they committed a crime!”
The Big Apple activist also ripped Hizzoner and Gov. Kathy Hochul generally over New York’s notorious soft-on-crime policies.
“We don’t need to hear stats! ‘We have the lowest gun violence in history!’ We don’t want to hear that s–t! We’re tired of hearing that s–t! Because it’s bulls–t!
“Jacob’s parents are mourning their little boys death today. This kid went into the bodega to buy a ball!
“We know what the remedy is because we’ve lived through this before,’’ Mateo said.
“The remedy is very simple: The governor, the mayor, instead of having a day out watching a FIFA game at Rikers with criminals, be advocating for victims.
“Protect the victims and their families.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani shaking hands with an inmate during a FIFA World Cup watch party at Rikers Island on July 16, 2026. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The tragic youngster was at the Wanda Deli Grocery at Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday to buy a ball before shots rang out oputside as part of a dispute between six people, law-enforcement sources said.
Jacob had been getting back on his bike to ride home when the gunfire erupted — and was seen on dramatic security video obtained by The Post then stumbling back into the store clutching his chest moments later before he fatally collapsed.
Sources said his father is a retired NYPD sergeant in The Bronx.
The shooting proved to be fatal as Freytas died inside the store. United Bodegas of America
Mateo said the bodega owners group is offering a $5,000 reward for the killers.
“This is directed to the governor and the mayor of this city,” he said. “Let’s get tough on crime. Let’s stop giving a pass.
Despite the tragic shooting, NYPD stats show that shootings and murders in the five boroughs at historic lows — but Mateo said too many neighborhoods are still plagued.
“That’s not the right message to send and that’s why there are so many guns on our streets today,’’ he said.
“The guns are out there on the streets today because nothing is being done when these people get caught with the guns, OK?!”