The Valley Central School District is mourning the loss of one of its students after officials confirmed 12-year-old Jacob Freytes was killed by a stray bullet in The Bronx over the weekend.
In a letter sent to families Monday, Superintendent Evette Avila identified Freytes as a current Valley Central Middle School student and called his death an “unthinkable loss.”
The district said grief counselors and other mental health resources are being made available to students, staff and families affected by the tragedy.
The NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association identified Freytes as the son of retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes.
While the district identifies Freytes as a current Valley Central student, other media reports indicate he lived in the Bronx neighborhood where he was shot. Right now, it’s not clear whether he had recently moved or why he was in the area. News 12 is working to learn more.