Trump was discussing the case when he realized Jacob’s parents might be in attendance.
“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.
After identifying Martinez and Freytes in the crowd, Trump made an unexpected decision. Rather than continuing his prepared remarks, he stepped away from the podium and walked directly toward the couple.
Martinez appeared visibly overcome with emotion as Trump approached. The president embraced both parents and spoke with them privately for a moment before eventually returning to the stage.
The brief encounter was unscripted and quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the event.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later shared video of the interaction, highlighting the spontaneous gesture.
“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.
Once back behind the podium, Trump continued speaking about Jacob and the circumstances surrounding his death.
“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 bullet during a shootout.
Authorities arrested 45-year-old William Ferrer in connection with the shooting. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder, though Ferrer has pleaded not guilty.
The case has also brought renewed scrutiny to Ferrer’s lengthy criminal history. According to the New York Post, his record stretches back more than two decades and includes previous cases involving drunk driving, drug possession, menacing and criminal contempt.
For Jacob’s family, however, the case is far more personal than another crime statistic.
Martinez recently described the heartbreaking final moments she spent with her son before leaving for work during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“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.
“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.
Jacob’s death has also prompted Republican lawmakers in New York to pursue legislative changes.
GOP lawmakers have introduced a proposal known as “Jacob’s Law,” which would seek tougher penalties in cases where criminally reckless conduct results in the death of a child.
The legislation comes as New York Republicans continue pushing for stricter consequences for repeat offenders and greater protections for innocent victims.
Trump’s appearance at the Nassau County Police Academy was largely centered on those broader issues. He discussed crime, policing and his administration’s approach to supporting law enforcement.
But the political discussion briefly gave way to a deeply human moment.
There was no formal announcement. No scheduled presentation. No elaborate ceremony.
Trump simply saw Jacob’s parents sitting among the crowd and walked toward them.
For several minutes, the president’s speech stopped as he stood with two parents facing the unimaginable loss of their child.
The encounter underscored the personal stakes behind the national debate over crime and public safety. For Martinez and Freytes, Jacob was not a headline or a statistic. He was their 12-year-old son.
And on Friday, in the middle of a police academy speech, the president made sure their loss was remembered in front of the audience.
