Hundreds of people attended a community vigil in honor of 13-year-old Nyah Mway, who was allegedly shot and killed after he pointed a replica handgun at police officers during an encounter on Friday night, is under investigation in Utica, New York, police said.
The incident began around 10:18 p.m. when the officers who were part of the police’s Crime Prevention Unit conducted a stop of two people as part of an undisclosed police investigation, the Utica Police Department said.
During the stop, the 13-year-old, who was identified as Nyah Mway, allegedly fled from officers who chased him, according to the police. Nyah allegedly pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers, which prompted one of the officers to fire one shot at the teen, according to investigators.
The Utica Department of Public Safety identified the three officers in a press release as “Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the Utica Police Department, Officer Husnay is the officer that fired his duty weapon striking the juvenile. Bryce Patterson, a four-year veteran, and Andrew Citriniti a two-and-a-half-year veteran who previously served with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.”
Nyah Mway, who family members identified as the victim of a police shooting in Utica, is seen in an un…Show more
Nyah Mway family
The boy was subsequently transported to Wynn Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds, police said. Investigators uncovered “a replica GLOCK 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine” following the shooting, investigators said.
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told reporters Saturday morning the replica firearm appeared to be a pellet gun.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased juvenile, as well as our officers involved in this incident,” the Utica Police Department said in a statement.
Authorities released body camera footage from officers attending the incident.
“As will be illustrated in the body worn camera (BWC) footage … when the officers asked and went to pat frisk Nyah Mway, he immediately fled on foot. While fleeing he produced a replica GLOCK pellet gun from the front of his body, and during the 51 and 53 second mark on PO Patterson’s BWC, points the weapon directly at PO Patterson and the other officers,” police said in their statement detailing the incident.
“As in any Officer Involved Shooting investigation it is within the purview of the NYS Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations to determine whether the shooting violated any state laws; however, we felt it prudent to ensure the entirety of the evidence we have available at this time is shared publicly – keeping with our commitment to transparency,” police continued in their statement.
The press conference held by the chief and Mayor Michael P. Galime was disrupted multiple times by members of the public shouting at them.
Lay Htoo, Nyah’s uncle, told ABC News he saw the video and that he and his family were depressed and saddened.
“They make me feel very, very sad. You know, seeing the one [of] my nephew [killed],” Htoo told ABC News of the images.
Htoo said his family was originally from Myanmar and his nephew moved to Utica eight years ago. Nyah had recently graduated from middle school, according to Htoo.
“My nephew is a very good kid. He’s never done this before,” Htoo said.
In this screen grab taken from Google Maps Street View, the Utical Police Department headquarters is…Show more
Hundreds of people filled the 900 block of Shaw Street for a community vigil in honor of Mway on Saturday night, just about 24 hours after he was shot and killed by a Utica police officer. Several people spoke at the vigil, including members of the victim’s family and other prominent members of the community.
Williams said three officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave as the New York Attorney General’s Office conducts its investigation into the incident.
In addition to the AG’s probe, which is required by New York state law when an officer shoots someone, the Utica Police Department will also be conducting its own investigation into the shooting.
“Additionally, we will work closely and openly with the City of Utica Public Safety Advisory Committee. We value their mission and want to ensure through multiple facets the community is fully informed of the facts of this incident,” the police said in a statement.
Williams said police would be releasing more information and details to the public in the coming days including the body camera footage from the incident.
