Nyah Mway : “Family Seeks Answers in Police Killing of 13-Year-Old”

On Wednesday, Nyah Mway completed his middle school education in a central New York city where his family had resettled as refugees from Myanmar ten years ago. However, by Friday night, the 13-year-old tragically lost his life in a fatal shooting by police officers after allegedly brandishing a BB gun at them during a foot chase.

The heartbreaking incident has left Nyah’s relatives and members of the immigrant community in shock and calling for justice and police accountability. “We came to the United States seeking education, good jobs, and a peaceful life after facing years of strife in Myanmar,” said Lay Htoo, who identified himself as Nyah’s cousin.

Instead of celebrating Nyah’s transition to high school, his parents are now awaiting the release of his body from the medical examiners and seeking justice for their son. “They want the officers responsible to be held in prison forever,” Htoo expressed in a phone interview.

Community Demands Answers

As the state attorney general and the Utica Police Department launch investigations into the shooting, Nyah’s relatives and fellow members of Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority are set to meet with Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime on Sunday afternoon to seek answers and demand accountability.

The shooting occurred in Utica, a city that has seen an influx of refugees from various countries in recent years, bringing diversity and revitalization to the once-fading Rust Belt hub. With a significant population of over 4,200 individuals from Myanmar, Utica has become a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds.

According to police reports, Nyah and another 13-year-old boy were stopped because they matched the descriptions of suspects in an armed robbery incident from the previous day and because one of the teens was jaywalking. The police department has refrained from releasing details of the armed robbery report, citing an ongoing investigation.

Tragic Turn of Events

Body camera footage captured the moment when Nyah, identified as one of the teens, fled from the officers, turning and pointing what appeared to be a handgun at them. The officers, believing it was a real firearm, opened fire, fatally shooting the young boy in the chest.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the weapon Nyah had was a BB gun designed to resemble a real handgun, lacking the distinctive orange band typically found on toy guns for safety purposes. The tragic outcome has sparked debates on police training and response protocols in similar situations.

While the police chief described the incident as “tragic and traumatic,” Nyah’s cousin, Isabella Moo, criticised the police narrative for potentially vilifying the teenager and protecting the officers involved. “The escalation should never have occurred, and law enforcement must undergo better training to handle such situations,” Moo emphasised.

Family Background

Nyah’s family fled Myanmar to Thailand around two decades ago, where he was born in a refugee camp before immigrating to the United States through a resettlement programme nine years ago. Described as a bright student with a passion for mathematics, soccer, and spending time with friends, Nyah’s untimely death has left his loved ones devastated.

Despite the family’s Buddhist background, Nyah occasionally attended Bible study with friends, showcasing his curiosity for different cultures and beliefs. On the night of the shooting, Nyah informed his mother he was heading to a store, marking the last interaction before the tragic events unfolded.

His mother, unable to sleep and consumed by grief, has been seeking solace in short intervals of rest, with tears marking her every awakening. The family’s hopes for a peaceful and prosperous life in the United States have been shattered by the untimely loss of their beloved son.