Shooting of 13-Year-Old Boy by Police in Utica, NY

Overview of the Incident

Utica, NY, has been the scene of a tragic shooting incident involving the Utica police. A 13-year-old boy, identified as Nyah Mway, was killed by an officer during a pedestrian stop on Friday night. The incident began with rumblings and turned into screams from all sides as Utica Mayor Michael Galime spoke to the mother and family of the boy. The tragic event has shaken the community and raised many questions about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

Timeline of Events

The events began around 10:20 p.m. when officers from the Utica Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit stopped two juveniles in connection with an armed robbery investigation. One of the juveniles, Nyah Mway, fled on foot and displayed what appeared to be a handgun. During the ensuing foot chase, a struggle ensued on the ground, and a police officer discharged his firearm once, striking the boy in the chest. Nyah was given immediate first aid by the officers and taken to Wynn Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Police Chief Mark Williams attempted to provide a detailed timeline of events at a press conference, but the crowd started screaming, expressing their anger and frustration. The officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. The Utica Police Department is conducting a joint parallel internal investigation with its Professional Standards Unit to determine if policies, procedures, and training were followed during the incident.

Media and Public Response

The Utica Police Department announced that it would work closely with the City of Utica Public Safety Advisory Committee. They plan to release multiple media formats, including a Critical Incident Brief and the full Body Worn Camera content of the involved officers. A private press conference was initially held for the media, where Mayor Galime, Police Chief Williams, and Public Information Officer Lt. Michael Curley provided information. Due to the high level of public interest and demand for transparency, the press conference was later opened to the public, including 50 of Nyah’s family members.

During the press conference, Chief Williams explained that the officers could not have known that the gun in question was a pellet gun until they had it in their hands. This clarification came in response to questions about the use of lethal force. A social media video of the incident, which has been circulating online, does not portray the incident in its entirety. The video shows the boy running down a street, closely followed by an officer, and moments later, the officer tackling the boy to the ground. The officers fired one shot during the ground struggle, which struck the boy in the chest.

Details of the Shooting

The police department revealed that the two juveniles were stopped as part of an ongoing investigation into recent robberies in the area. The suspects in these robberies were described as Asian males who brandished a black firearm and forcibly demanded and stole property from victims. Nyah Mway, who was identified as one of the juveniles, displayed what appeared to be a handgun during the foot chase. After the struggle on the ground, officers recovered a replica Glock 17 Gen5 handgun with a detachable magazine, which was determined to be a pellet gun.

Nyah’s close relative, Lay Htoo, identified him as the 13-year-old boy involved in the incident. The boy’s family, who are refugees from Myanmar (formerly Burma), speak the Karen language and settled in the United States about eight years ago. The family, along with the broader Karen community in Utica, has been deeply affected by the incident. The shooting “shook the foundation” of the Karen community and has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice.

Community Reaction

Community members expressed their anger and demanded justice at the press conference held on Saturday. The event, which was initially intended for media members only, was later opened to the public due to the sheer number of people present. The press conference saw a large crowd of residents, who voiced their anger at officials for not being transparent. As the crowd continued to shout at the officials, Mayor Galime announced that the news conference was concluded and that they would speak directly with the boy’s family.

The boy’s family was initially unaware of the incident until they saw online videos that circulated on social media platforms. The Utica police have acknowledged the existence of these videos but have emphasized that they do not portray the incident in its entirety. They have asked the public to obtain all the information that will be made available when reviewing this incident.

Investigations and Transparency

The Attorney General’s office will be investigating the shooting to determine if it was justified. The Utica Police Department will also conduct an internal investigation. The three officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, and their names will be released soon. Over the next several days, the police department will publicly release more details about the incident and a comprehensive overview of the events. They also plan to release the full body cam footage from the officers involved.

Chief Williams and Mayor Galime have both emphasized the importance of transparency and objectivity in the investigation. They have assured the public that the police department will operate with utmost efficiency and transparency, and every incident that involves an investigation will be met with objectivity and adherence to the letter of the law.