Bronx Tragedy: Innocent 12-Year-Old Caught in Deadly Crossfire
A 45-year-old man with a slew of arrests dating back to 1999 has been charged with murder in the senseless fatal shooting of the 12-year-old son of a retired Finest outside a Bronx bodega Saturday.
William Ferrer was busted outside his home Sunday in the slaying of innocent young Jacob Freytes, who biked to a Mount Eden bodega to buy a ball when he was caught in the crossfire of what police believe may have been a gang-related shooting.
The slain boy was the son of retired Bronx Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes, who once worked in the same 44th Precinct.
“Jacob was an innocent bystander on his bike when he was taken from his family yesterday in an act of senseless gun violence,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on X.
“No arrest can ever ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, but the NYPD will continue to do everything I our power to seek justice for Jacob,” the top cop said.
Ferrer betrayed no emotion as he was led out of the 44th Precinct stationhouse shortly after 3:40 p.m. Sunday, as about a dozen bystanders gathered across the street and glared at the accused killer as wasled into a waiting unmarked police car.
Ferrer said nothing as reporters peppered him with questions.
He is no stranger to NYPD handcuffs.
Records show he has at least a half-dozen arrests on his rap sheet, including a drug-possession charge in 2013, a marijuana-possession arrest in 2009, a drunken-driving rap in 2009 and a bust for possession of stolen property in The Bronx in 2004, sources said.
He was first busted at least as far back as 1999 for possession of a forced instrument, sources said.
He was then arrested again in 2001 separately for alleged menacing and criminal contempt.
Ferrer is now charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault and illegal weapons possession, Tisch said.
Additional reporting by Marie Pohl
