Tragic Incident in Utica: Police Fatally Shoot 13-Year-Old Boy
A tragic incident unfolded in Utica, New York, as a 13-year-old boy named Nyah Mway was fatally shot by police officers. The event occurred around 10 p.m. when officers were investigating an armed robbery. Nyah, who matched the description of one of the suspects, ran from the police while holding what appeared to be a gun.
Details of the Incident
Body camera footage released by the police shows the moment when Nyah Mway ran from the officers. During the chase, Nyah pointed what was later identified as a replica Glock 17 Gen 5 at the officers. Believing it to be a real handgun, one of the officers, Patrick Husnay, fired a single shot that hit Nyah in the chest. Despite receiving immediate first aid, Nyah was pronounced dead at Wynn Hospital.
Community Outrage and Investigation
The incident has sparked significant public outrage in Utica, a city with a large Burmese community, including many refugees from Myanmar. Nyah Mway was a member of the Karen ethnic minority, a group that has faced persecution in Myanmar. The Utica Police Department and the New York Attorney General's Office have both launched investigations to determine whether the shooting was justified and whether proper protocols were followed.
Calls for Justice and Reflection
Utica Mayor Michael Glima and Police Chief Mark Williams have both expressed their condolences to Nyah's family. During a tense press conference, community members voiced their frustrations, with one sign reading, 'Our parents did not flee the war so that the police would shoot their children.' The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.
- The police initially stopped Nyah Mway and another 13-year-old boy because they matched the descriptions of suspects involved in recent robberies in Utica. One of the boys was walking on the road, which is a violation of state traffic regulations.
- During the investigation, Nyah ran away, prompting the officers to chase him. The body camera footage, which was released to the public, shows the officers shouting 'Gun!' as they pursued Nyah. The video also includes a red circle around the replica gun to highlight it for viewers.
- The replica gun, which closely resembled a real Glock 17, was later found to only shoot pellets. Despite this, the officers believed it was a real firearm at the time of the incident.
- The incident has deeply affected the Burmese community in Utica, which numbers over 4,200 people. Many members of this community, including Nyah's family, attended the press conference and expressed their grief and anger over the shooting.
