In a tragic incident that unfolded in Utica, New York, a 13-year-old boy, identified as 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 pm on Friday during an armed robbery investigation.
According to the Utica Police Department, officers stopped two 13-year-old boys who matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects and were in the vicinity at the same time. One of the boys, Nyah Mway, attempted to flee, prompting the officers to give chase. Body camera footage released by the police shows Nyah Mway pointing the replica gun at the pursuing officers.
Believing it to be a real handgun, one of the officers, identified as Patrick Husnay, fired a single shot during a struggle with Nyah Mway, striking him in the chest. Despite immediate first aid provided by the officers, Nyah Mway succumbed to his injuries at Wynn Hospital.
The replica gun carried by Nyah Mway closely resembled a Glock 17 Gen5 handgun, complete with markings, detachable magazine, and serial numbers. However, it was later determined to only fire pellets or BBs. The police department has initiated an internal investigation to determine if the officers followed proper protocols and training.
The incident has sparked public outcry, leading to the release of the body camera videos. Utica, a city with a population of 65,000, has been deeply affected by 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 Utica Police Department has placed Officers Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson, and Andrew Citriniti on administrative leave with pay. The state attorney general’s office will also conduct its own investigation to determine the justification of the shooting.
During a tense news conference, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams expressed his condolences to Nyah Mway’s family and acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident. The community, including the youth’s family, attended the conference.
