A ghost gun manufacturer, Polymer80, is facing a lawsuit over its alleged role in the shooting death of 16-year-old Angellyh Yambo in the Bronx, yet the company has stopped communicating with its own attorney, according to recent court filings. The attorney, David Osborne, filed a motion to withdraw from the case, citing that Polymer80 executives have ceased returning his calls and emails.
The Yambo family’s lawyer, Anthony Beneduce, expressed concerns that the company’s silence might be an attempt to evade legal responsibility. Beneduce accused Polymer80 of deliberately exploiting legal loopholes to profit from ghost guns and now attempting to “disappear” when facing legal consequences. Angellyh Yambo was tragically caught in a shooting while leaving school in 2022.
Ghost guns are homemade firearms that can be built using kits or 3D printers. These weapons, which lack serial numbers and can bypass background checks, are illegal in New York, making them difficult to trace. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review a Biden administration rule aimed at regulating ghost guns.
Polymer80 has faced multiple lawsuits in the past, settling $7.5 million with cities like Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The company’s CEO recently hinted at a temporary shutdown amid these legal pressures. However, the company has not declared bankruptcy and has filed a motion to dismiss the Yambo family’s lawsuit, which is still pending.
Beneduce likened the case to the $73 million settlement won by families of victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting against Remington, the firearm manufacturer. Yambo’s mother, Yanely Henriquez, emphasized that the lawsuit seeks justice to prevent future tragedies and ensure accountability. She hopes to use the compensation to fund a foundation in Angellyh’s name that will support after-school programs.
Henriquez remembers her daughter as a caring, bubbly person who is deeply missed by all who knew her. Along with holding Polymer80 accountable, the family also recognizes the responsibility of Jeremiah Ryan, the 17-year-old shooter, who is serving a 15-years-to-life sentence. An NYPD report confirmed that the gun used in the shooting was traced back to Polymer80.
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