A Bronx mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a stray bullet in July is publicly endorsing Republican Saritha Komatireddy over New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing James of caring more about “national politics” than about crime in her own borough.
Migdalia Martinez appears in a new campaign ad for Komatireddy, speaking about her son Jacob Freytes, who was shot and killed outside a Mount Eden bodega on July 25 while riding his bike to buy a ball.
“Four teenagers were shot in the Bronx in one week, and they said it’s the safest summer on record,” Martinez says in the ad, before pointing to a necklace bearing her son’s photo. “This here is my son, Jacob. He was shot and killed riding his bike to buy a ball. Letitia James has time for national politics, just not for the Bronx.”
Martinez adds: “I’m not political, and neither is Saritha. When I met her, I heard somebody who wants change. Saritha is the only person I’ll vote for.”
The ad also includes an image of James alongside socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The Killing of Jacob Freytes
William Ferrer, a career criminal with at least a half-dozen prior arrests dating back to 1999, has been charged in Jacob’s killing. Police say Ferrer opened fire during a street dispute outside Wanda Deli Grocery on Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse, and Jacob was caught in the crossfire. Jacob was the son of retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes. Ferrer pleaded not guilty at a court appearance last week.
A Meeting With Trump
Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor and mother of four, met Martinez shortly after the shooting and brought her to see President Trump at a Long Island event last month, where Trump embraced her and vowed tougher action on crime.
“Families like Migdalia’s have paid an unbearable price while New York’s leaders have failed to make public safety the priority it should be. Letitia James has had almost eight years in office and the resources of a statewide law enforcement agency, yet she is failing these families,” Komatireddy said in a statement.
Komatireddy said James has failed the Bronx since taking office in 2019. “New Yorkers are tired of excuses, tired of being told this is normal, and tired of leaders who look the other way while innocent people pay the price,” she said. “Migdalia deserves better. Jacob deserved better. Every family in New York deserves better.”
The 30-second spot, a six-figure ad buy, is running on cable, streaming and digital platforms. As a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn’s Eastern District, Komatireddy handled cases involving international terrorism, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering and public corruption.
James’s Record
James, seeking a third term, remains heavily favored to win re-election. She has drawn national attention for personally prosecuting Trump and his company and for suing to block Trump administration policies, which her campaign says has happened “more than 50 times.” She also commissioned the sexual misconduct probe of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that led to his resignation, though he denied wrongdoing.
James’s office says it has taken more than 9,500 guns off New York streets, worked to curb the spread of ghost guns, and secured more than $9 billion from individuals and corporations who abused New Yorkers — including over $3 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors and more than $70 million in settlements from neglectful nursing homes.
