The Bronx mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a stray bullet is criticizing state Attorney General Letitia James for focusing on “national politics” as she endorses James’ Republican challenger.
Migdalia Martinez appears in a powerful new campaign ad supporting Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor running for attorney general. In the spot, Martinez speaks about her son, Jacob Freytes, who was killed outside a Bronx bodega in July.
“Four teenagers were shot in the Bronx in one week, and they said it’s the safest summer on record,” Martinez says. She then turns toward the camera and points to a necklace bearing her son’s picture.
“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 says of the Democratic incumbent.
“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 advertisement also features a photo of James alongside socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
William Ferrer, who has been described as a career criminal, was charged in the July 25 stray-bullet killing of Jacob Freytes. The boy was caught in the crossfire outside a Mount Eden bodega.
Ferrer, who has at least six prior arrests dating to 1999, is accused of opening fire during a street dispute outside Wanda Deli Grocery on Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse.
Jacob, the son of retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes, had ridden his bike to the store to buy a ball when the gunfire broke out, police said.
Ferrer pleaded not guilty at a court appearance last week.
Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor and mother of four, met Martinez shortly after the shooting. Last month, she brought Martinez to a Long Island event where she met President Trump, who embraced her and promised to take a tougher approach to crime at the pro-policing gathering.
“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 to The Post.
Komatireddy also accused James of failing 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,” Komatireddy said. “Migdalia deserves better. Jacob deserved better. Every family in New York deserves better.”
The six-figure, 30-second campaign spot is running on cable television, streaming platforms and digital websites.
During her time as a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn’s Eastern District of New York, Komatireddy handled several high-profile cases involving international terrorism, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering and public corruption.
James, who is seeking a third term as attorney general, is heavily favored to win re-election.
She has drawn national attention for personally prosecuting Trump and his namesake company, as well as suing to block policies enacted by the Trump administration.
James also commissioned a sexual misconduct investigation into former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat. The probe contributed to his resignation, although Cuomo denied any wrongdoing.
On her campaign website, James highlights having sued the Trump administration “more than 50 times to protect New Yorkers’ rights and funding for critical programs like healthcare, public education and good-paying jobs.”
The Democratic incumbent said her AG’s office has taken over 9,500 guns off New York’s streets and worked to stop the spread of ghost guns.
She also claimed to have secured more than $9 billion from individuals and corporations who abused New Yorkers, including more than $3 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors for their roles in the deadly opioid epidemic and more than $70 million in settlements from neglectful nursing homes
