June 30th 2024.
An officer in upstate New York fatally shot a 13-year-old boy on Friday night after he ran away from police with what appeared to be a real gun. The incident took place in Utica, a city located about 400 kilometers northwest of Manhattan. Police Chief Mark Williams held a press conference at Utica City Hall to provide details about the shooting.
According to Chief Williams, the officers had stopped two youths after 10pm on Friday. One of them ran away and pointed what looked like a handgun at the officers. In response, one of the officers fired a single shot at the teenager. The boy, identified as Nyah Mway, was given first aid by the officers and taken to the hospital, where he unfortunately passed away. Members of the community, including Mway's family, were present at the press conference.
Mway was a Karen refugee from Myanmar and an 8th grader at Donovan Middle School. Utica is home to many refugees from Myanmar, and the city's interim superintendent Kathleen Davis expressed her condolences to Mway's family. The police department will release a report on the incident and the full body camera video from the officers involved in the coming days.
The police chief also mentioned that they recovered a replica of a GLOCK 17 Gen 5 handgun at the scene. It had detachable magazines and markings similar to a real GLOCK. However, it only fired pellets or BBs. The Office of the New York State Attorney General will lead the investigation to determine if the officer's actions were justified. The department will also conduct an internal investigation to ensure that officers followed proper protocols and training.
During the press conference, Mayor Michael Galime promised transparency and offered to meet with Mway's family and the Karen community in private. He also acknowledged the weight of the situation and assured that all information will be released to the public. Chief Williams expressed his condolences to Mway's family and called the incident tragic and traumatic for everyone involved.
There is a video of the incident circulating on social media, but Chief Williams warned that it does not show the entire incident. He urged people to wait for the official report and body camera footage. In the meantime, the officers involved will be placed on administrative leave with pay. The community gathered at City Hall to listen to the press conference, and at times, emotions ran high. The city and its officials are determined to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is served.
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