Additional Coverage:
In Utica, New York, a city nestled upstate, a tragic event unfolded late Friday night when a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot by police following a pursuit on foot. Officers, investigating several burglaries in the area, encountered two teens around 10 p.m.
When they attempted to engage, one of the youths fled, leading to a chase. During the pursuit, police observed what they believed was a handgun in the teen’s possession, which later turned out to be a replica firearm.
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams, addressing the incident in a news conference, was met with vocal distress from the community. He explained that the police officer, in a moment of confrontation on the ground, discharged his weapon, hitting the young Asian male identified as Nyah Mway. Despite immediate first aid efforts and immediate hospitalization at Wynn Hospital, Mway succumbed to his injuries.
The officers had been on alert due to recent robberies attributed to suspects resembling the teens they stopped. Notably, the officers recovered a pellet gun mirroring a Glock 17 with a detachable magazine from the scene, shedding light on the perceived threat during the chase.
Involved in the incident were officers Patrick Husnay, a member of the force for six years, along with officers Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti. They had been focusing on areas impacted by the reported robberies, and their engagement with the teens was based on matching descriptions and proximity to a recent crime scene.
Utica Police also shared body camera footage and a photo of the pellet gun, part of their ongoing investigation and, concurrently, a separate investigation has been initiated by the New York attorney general’s office. In response to the incident, the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Amidst the turmoil, Utica Mayor Michael Galime urged for peace and understanding from the community, acknowledging the heavy implications of the tragic event. The city, with a history of resettling refugees, including a significant Asian population from Burma among others, has been grappling with the challenges of ensuring safety and community trust.
As investigations continue, the community and its leaders are calling for calm and a thorough understanding of the circumstances leading to Nyah Mway’s death. This incident highlights ongoing concerns over police interactions and the safety of both officers and community members in tense situations.