In a tragic incident that unfolded in Utica, New York, a 13-year-old boy named Nyah Mway was fatally shot by a police officer after he ran from the authorities and pointed a replica handgun at them. The incident occurred a little after 10 p.m. on Friday, following a stop by officers in connection with an armed robbery investigation.
According to the Utica Police Department, the two youths, both 13, matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects and were in the vicinity at the same time. One of them was also walking in the road, violating state traffic law. Body camera footage released by the police shows an officer attempting to pat down the youths to ensure they were not carrying any weapons. However, Nyah Mway immediately fled the scene.
The video footage, which was edited by the police to highlight the weapon, captures the moment when Nyah Mway appears to point the replica handgun at the pursuing officers. Believing it to be a real firearm, one of the officers fired a single shot during a struggle with the teen, striking him in the chest. Despite receiving immediate first aid from the officers, Nyah Mway succumbed to his injuries at Wynn Hospital.
The replica gun carried by Nyah Mway closely resembled a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun, complete with markings, detachable magazine, and serial numbers. However, it was later determined to only fire pellets or BBs. The incident has sparked outrage within the community, with bystander videos showing one of the officers chasing and tackling Nyah Mway to the ground, followed by the sound of a gunshot.
Officer Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the Utica Police Department, was identified as the officer who fired the fatal shot. He, along with Officers Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti, has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation. The state attorney general’s office will also conduct its own investigation to determine the justification of the shooting.
Nyah Mway, a refugee born in Myanmar and a member of the Karen ethnic minority, was an eighth-grader at Donovan Middle School. The Karen people are among the ethnic groups involved in conflicts with Myanmar’s military rulers, who seized power in 2021 and suppressed protests calling for a return to democratic rule.
The release of the body camera footage came after public outcry and has further intensified the ongoing discussions surrounding police conduct. Utica, a city with a population of 65,000, is home to a significant number of Myanmar refugees. The incident has left the community deeply affected, as evidenced by the tense news conference that ended prematurely due to repeated audience outbursts.
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams expressed his condolences to Nyah Mway’s family, acknowledging the tragic and traumatic nature of the incident. As the internal investigation continues, the department will assess whether the officers followed proper protocols and training.
