1. Fatal shooting of 13-year-old by Utica, New York officer
2. Police shooting of teenager in Utica, New York.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A shocking incident unfolded late Saturday in Utica, New York, as body camera footage was released showing a police officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy. The boy, identified as Nyah Mway, had been tackled to the ground after running from the police and pointing a replica handgun at them.
Armed robbery investigation leads to tragic shooting
The tragic event took place a little after 10 p.m. on Friday when officers in Utica stopped two 13-year-old youths in connection with an armed robbery investigation. The youths matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects and were in the same area at around the same time. One of the youths, Nyah Mway, was also walking in the road, a violation of state traffic law.
Body camera footage released by the police shows an officer indicating the need to pat down the youths to ensure they do not possess any weapons. In response, Nyah Mway runs away from the officers, prompting a chase. The officers believed the replica handgun Nyah Mway was carrying was a real firearm, leading to a fatal confrontation.
Replica gun mistaken for real weapon
Although the officers initially believed the replica handgun carried by Nyah Mway was a real firearm, it was later determined to be a replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun that only fires pellets or BB’s. Despite this, the situation escalated quickly, resulting in Nyah Mway being shot in the chest by one of the officers.
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams stated that during a struggle on the ground, an officer fired a single shot that struck Nyah Mway in the chest. Despite receiving immediate first aid from the officers and being taken to Wynn Hospital, Nyah Mway tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Community outcry and ongoing investigations
The release of the body camera footage sparked outrage in the Utica community, leading to a tense news conference where city officials struggled to address the concerns of the youth’s family and other members of the community. The police department is conducting an internal investigation to determine if the officers followed protocols and training, while the state attorney general will open a separate case to assess the justification of the shooting.
Utica Mayor Williams expressed his condolences to Nyah Mway’s family, acknowledging the tragic and traumatic nature of the incident. The shooting has raised questions about police procedures and the use of force in the community.
Background of the victim and the community
Nyah Mway, reportedly an 8th grader at Donovan Middle School, was identified as a refugee born in Myanmar and a member of the Karen ethnic minority. The Karen people are an ethnic minority group in Myanmar who have been in conflict with the military rulers of the country. The army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, leading to widespread protests for democratic rule.
Utica, a city with a population of 65,000, is home to a significant number of refugees from Myanmar, including members of the Karen ethnic minority. The shooting has highlighted the complexities of policing in a diverse community with a history of conflict and displacement.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community awaits answers and justice for Nyah Mway, whose life was tragically cut short in a confrontation with law enforcement.
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Utica New York officer shooting 13-year-old
Fatal shooting of 13-year-old in Utica NY.