By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leonean community at home and abroad is mourning the tragic death of 32-year-old Mabinty “Binty” Janneh, who was fatally struck during an alleged carjacking incident in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, in United State of Ameria on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Mabinty “Binty” Janneh, a resident of Dorchester originally from Sierra Leone, had reportedly just stepped off an MBTA bus and was walking to a nearby bank when an allegedly stolen Toyota RAV4 mounted the sidewalk along Blue Hill Avenue near the intersection with Morton Street and struck her. Authorities said she was dragged several hundred feet before the vehicle eventually crashed into an MBTA bus.
Emergency responders rushed Mabinty “Binty” Janneh to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead from her injuries.
According to prosecutors, the suspect, 37-year-old Ibraim Matos of Hyde Park, had allegedly crashed his own vehicle before forcibly stealing the Toyota RAV4 from a woman at a nearby car wash. Witnesses described the chaotic sequence of events as resembling scenes from an action movie.
Following the fatal crash, members of the public pulled Ibraim Matos from the stolen vehicle and restrained him until Police Officers arrived and placed him under arrest.
Ibraim Matos appeared before Dorchester District Court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, carjacking and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. The court ordered that he be held without bail and transferred to Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day mental health evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. His next court appearance has been scheduled for early July.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that the accused has an extensive criminal history. Defence attorneys informed the court that Ibraim Matos reportedly suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while his brother stated that he has also been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Suffolk District Attorney, Kevin Hayden, described the incident as an act that placed countless lives at risk, pledging that every effort would be made to secure justice for Mabinty “Binty” Janneh, her grieving family and the wider Mattapan community.
Family members have described Mabinty “Binty” Janneh as a hardworking, caring and resilient woman whose life reflected extraordinary determination. Having survived conflict in Sierra Leone and later travelled through Turkey before settling in the United States, she had worked tirelessly to build a safer and better future.
Speaking on behalf of the family, her cousin, Ahmad Thorley, said Mabinty “Binty” Janneh was deeply loved and remembered her as someone whose kindness touched many lives. He also expressed gratitude to members of the Mattapan community whose quick intervention helped prevent further loss of life.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief across Boston, where family members, friends, neighbours and community leaders gathered for a candlelight vigil near the crash site. Flowers, candles and heartfelt tributes continue to grow at the memorial established along Blue Hill Avenue as mourners called for justice.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leoneans in the United States have launched an appeal to help return Mabinty “Binty” Janneh’s remains to her homeland for burial.
In a Facebook post, Sierra Leonean community member, Lucy Baindu Koroma, who lives in Maryland, urged Sierra Leoneans across the diaspora, Government institutions, the private sector and humanitarian organisations to contribute towards the repatriation of Mabinty “Binty” Janneh’s body.
“Our Sierra Leonean sister, Mabinty ‘Binty’ Janneh, was senselessly killed while simply walking to the bank,” Lucy Baindu Koroma wrote. “Her family’s only wish now is to bring her body home to her mother in Sierra Leone.”
She appealed for financial support, stressing that every contribution would help fulfil the family’s final wish of laying Mabinty ‘Binty’ Janneh to rest in her homeland.
Quoting the Holy Qur’an, Lucy Baindu Koroma concluded her appeal with the words: “Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return” (Qur’an 2:156), while urging people to continue sharing the appeal and support efforts to bring Binty home.
While investigations remain ongoing and court proceedings continue, the tragic death of Mabinty “Binty” Janneh has left a profound sense of grief among Sierra Leoneans both at home and across the diaspora. She is remembered not only as the innocent victim of a senseless act of violence but also as a resilient woman whose hopes and dreams of building a better future were tragically cut short. Her passing has become a painful reminder of the devastating human cost of violent crime and the enduring impact it leaves on families and communities.
