On Saturday, August 8, Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage) joined the family of Jacob Freytes, Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy, State Sen. Steve Chan and State Sen. Steve Rhoads outside a Mount Eden bodega in the Bronx to mourn Jacob’s loss and unveil a new bill aimed at increasing penalties when reckless conduct results in the death of a child.

Jacob was just 12 years old and had been enjoying a summer day with friends when he rode his bike to the neighborhood bodega to buy a ball. As he approached the store, gunfire erupted during a violent dispute between several men, and Jacob was struck in the chest by a stray bullet. He made it inside the bodega before collapsing and was rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where he later passed.

Jacob’s death has prompted lawmakers to push for stronger penalties in cases where reckless conduct takes the life of a child. Jacob’s Law would classify those cases as murder and allow those convicted to face life in prison. Mikulin will sponsor the legislation in the Assembly, continuing his longstanding effort to ensure those who take the lives of children face the most serious consequences under New York law.

“As a father, these senseless acts of violence are completely heartbreaking to me. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in such a way. The law should impose the most severe penalty possible on anyone who takes a child’s life, and I have always supported efforts to ensure that it does. Families deserve justice, certainty and the peace of knowing their child’s killer will never walk free,” said Mikulin.