President Donald Trump abruptly stepped away from the stage during a speech in New York on Friday after realizing two special guests were sitting in the audience.
What followed was an emotional unscripted moment as the president temporarily stopped his remarks, walked into the crowd and embraced them before returning to the podium.
Trump was speaking at the Nassau County Police Academy when he recognized Migdalia Martinez and retired NYPD Sgt. Jesus Freytes, whose 12-year-old son, Jacob Freytes, was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx late last month.
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“Two weeks ago, a 12-year-old boy named Jacob Freytes — you read about this one? — was tragically shot and killed by a stray bullet fired by a repeat offender in a gun battle,” Trump told the audience.
“Jacob was the son of a loving mom and a retired New York City police detective, and they are incredible people, and I think I heard that they may be with us today,” Trump said.
“Are you with us?” the president asked.
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After locating the parents in the audience, Trump left the stage and walked over to the couple as Martinez appeared visibly emotional.
The president embraced Martinez and Freytes and privately spoke with each of them before making his way back to the stage.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later shared video of the encounter and described what happened.
“In a beautiful impromptu moment, President Trump exits the stage in the middle of his speech to embrace Migdalia Martinez and retired NYPD Sergeant Jesus Freytes, whose 12-year-old son Jacob was tragically killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx,” Leavitt wrote.
Trump addressed the killing again after returning to the podium.
“Incredible,” Trump said.
“Horrible story,” he continued.
“What a horrible thing,” the president said.
“But we’re going after them,” Trump added.
“These are bad, sick people,” he said.
Jacob was reportedly sitting on his bicycle outside a Bronx bodega when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle.
Police arrested 45-year-old William Ferrer in connection with the shooting, and he now faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder.
Ferrer has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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According to the New York Post, Ferrer’s arrest history stretches back more than 25 years and includes previous charges involving drunk driving, drug possession, menacing and criminal contempt.
Jacob’s mother described the devastating moment she learned her son had been shot during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” earlier in the week.
“I gave him a kiss, and I walked out, and we always do a little dolphin kiss,” Martinez said of the last time she saw her son before leaving for work.
“And I walked out and went to work,” she said.
“Around five o’clock, they called me and said that he had gotten shot,” Martinez recalled.
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“And all I could do was try to think of different ways to get here faster,” she said.
“When I got there, I just seen my boy gone,” Martinez said.
The 12-year-old’s killing has now sparked a push by Republican lawmakers in New York to change state law.
Republicans have introduced legislation dubbed “Jacob’s Law,” which would impose tougher penalties when a criminal’s reckless actions result in the death of a child.
Trump’s encounter with Jacob’s parents came as the president used his appearance before the Nassau County Police Academy to discuss crime and his administration’s law enforcement agenda.
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But for several minutes Friday, the policy discussion gave way to something far more personal as the president stopped his speech and walked directly toward two grieving parents, Fox News reported.
The media would NEVER show you this…
In the middle of his speech Trump embraced Migdalia Martinez and retired NYPD Sergeant Jesus Freytes.
Their 12-year-old son Jacob was killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/w9FbBylLjN
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen) August 14, 2026
There was no lengthy introduction or formal presentation before Trump left the podium.
He saw Jacob’s mother and father in the crowd and went to them.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
