BRONX \u2013 The mother of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, a Valley Central Middle School student who was killed by a stray bullet while riding his bicycle in the Bronx last month, is expected to join State Sen. Steve Chan and Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy on Saturday to announce new legislation named in her son\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n
The proposal, dubbed \u201cJacob\u2019s Law,\u201d would strengthen New York\u2019s criminal laws by increasing penalties for people whose reckless actions result in the death of a child under 18, according to the organizers.<\/p>\n
The announcement is scheduled to take place outside the Bronx bodega where Jacob was fatally shot.<\/p>\n
\u201cJacob\u2019s death was a heartbreaking tragedy that should never have happened,\u201d Chan said. \u201cThis legislation closes an important gap in New York law by ensuring that those who recklessly kill a child can face penalties that reflect the seriousness of their actions. I\u2019m proud to sponsor Jacob\u2019s Law in the Senate and stand with Jacob\u2019s family in their pursuit of justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacob, who lived in Walden, was riding his bicycle near a bodega on Elliot Place in the Mount Eden neighborhood on July 25 when gunfire erupted during an altercation involving several men. Police said Jacob was not the intended target.<\/p>\n
Jacob was struck by a bullet and taken to NYC Health + Hospitals\/Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead. He was in the Bronx on a visit with family. Two adult men also were wounded in the shooting.<\/p>\n
Police arrested 45-year-old career criminal William Ferrer in connection with the shooting. He faces charges including second-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons-related offenses. The legislation being announced in Jacob\u2019s name is intended to address situations in which a person\u2019s reckless criminal conduct causes the death of a child, according to its sponsors.<\/p>\n
Jacob\u2019s mother, Migdalia Martinez, previously called on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to help push legislation in her son\u2019s name that would automatically mean life in prison for anyone who killed a child.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo parent should have to bury a child because someone chose reckless disregard for human life. Jacob\u2019s Law is about ensuring that when a child is killed by this kind of senseless violence, the punishment reflects the gravity of the crime,\u201d Komatireddy said. \u201cNew York must send a clear message: if you take a child\u2019s life, you get life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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