In the early morning hours of April 21, 2019, a tragic event unfolded inside a Bronx, New York, apartment that would claim the life of 21-year-old Frederick Afoakwah. Afoakwah was spending time with his friend and next-door neighbor, Martinson Afari Yeboah, who was an off-duty NYPD officer at the time. The two were reportedly playing video games when Yeboah's service weapon, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, discharged, striking Afoakwah in the neck.
Following the sound of the gunshot,
Afoakwah's father and cousin rushed from their bedrooms to find him grievously wounded in the living room. Yeboah initially claimed that the shooting was a tragic accident, stating that Afoakwah had shot himself while handling the firearm. However, the subsequent investigation and an autopsy would later reveal that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted. It was also reported that Yeboah did not immediately render aid or call for emergency services. Instead, at the urging of Afoakwah's father, a call was finally made to 911. While waiting for first responders, Yeboah went to his own apartment, changed his shoes, and then proceeded to the building's lobby. Afoakwah was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Frederick Afoakwah's death led to the arrest of Martinson Afari Yeboah, who was 28 years old at the time and had been with the NYPD for approximately one year. He was subsequently terminated from his position. In October 2019, a grand jury indicted Yeboah on charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The prosecution argued that Yeboah's actions were reckless and that he failed to provide necessary aid to his friend. In October 2021, Yeboah pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. In January 2022, he was sentenced to one to three years in prison for his role in the death of Frederick Afoakwah.
