TL/DR –
Police in upstate New York fatally shot a 13-year-old boy, Nyah Mway, after he displayed what appeared to be a handgun during a chase. It was later revealed that the teenager was carrying a replica Glock handgun which turned out to be a pellet gun. An investigation into the shooting is being conducted, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Police Shoot and Kill 13-Year-Old Boy in Utica, New York
A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot by police in upstate New York after a chase when he displayed what appeared to be a handgun, according to a statement from the Utica Police Department. The teen was later found to be carrying a replica handgun.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time in Utica, a city of about 65,000 located an hour’s drive from Syracuse. Police stopped two teenagers for questioning, one of whom fled on foot.
The running teen, an Asian male, pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers, prompting one to fire his gun. The teen was immediately given first aid and transported to Wynn Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, said Utica Police Chief Mark Williams.
Officers later found a replica Glock handgun with a removable magazine at the scene. “This replica handgun was ultimately found to be a pellet gun,” Williams stated.
The deceased teen was identified as Nyah Mway. The identity of the officer who shot him remains undisclosed. An interpreter assisted with translation for Mway’s family at the news conference.
Utica has been resettling large numbers of refugees, including from Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Bosnia, Dominican Republic and more, according to the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees.
Dr. Kathleen Davis, interim superintendent of Utica City School District, underscored the tragedy as a reminder of the challenges faced by their community, particularly in law enforcement.
Police are investigating the incident, stating they are aware of a video circulating on social media that does not portray the incident in its entirety.
Items pertaining to the shooting, including a critical incident brief and full bodycam footage, will be released in the coming days. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, stated the police chief.
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