Utica Police Fatally Shoot 13-Year-Old Boy Carrying Replica Handgun During Chase

In a tragic turn of events, a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot by police after a chase in upstate New York. The Utica Police Department reported that the teen was carrying what initially appeared to be a handgun, leading to the fatal encounter.

The incident unfolded on Friday around 10 p.m. local time in Utica, a city of approximately 65,000 people located about an hour's drive from Syracuse. Two teenagers were stopped by officers, and as the authorities were questioning them, one of the teens fled on foot. During the pursuit, the teen was seen brandishing what appeared to be a handgun, prompting one of the officers to fire his weapon, striking the 13-year-old.

Despite receiving immediate first aid from the police, the boy, identified as Nyah Mway, succumbed to his injuries at Wynn Hospital, as confirmed by Utica Police Chief Mark Williams in a Saturday morning news conference.

Uncovering the Truth

In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Utica police discovered that the handgun carried by the teen was, in fact, a replica Glock handgun with a detachable magazine, ultimately determined to be a pellet gun. This revelation shed light on the nature of the perceived threat during the encounter.

The news conference held by the authorities saw the presence of an interpreter to facilitate communication with the victim's family and their community, demonstrating the diverse cultural tapestry of Utica. Notably, the city has resettled significant numbers of refugees in recent years, including a sizeable population of Asian refugees originating from Burma, encompassing the Karen ethnic group and others.

The tragedy has brought to the forefront the challenges faced by the community, with Dr. Kathleen Davis, the interim superintendent of the Utica City School District, acknowledging the difficulties encountered by law enforcement in their continuous efforts to uphold safety on the streets.

Investigation and Response

A video related to the incident surfaced on social media platforms, prompting a statement from the police acknowledging its circulation and emphasizing that it may not fully depict the entire sequence of events. As the authorities undertake an investigation into the shooting, they have committed to releasing pertinent materials in the coming days, including a critical incident brief and the full bodycam footage.

The gravity of the situation led to the decision to place the police officers involved in the shooting on administrative leave, as announced by the police chief during the news conference.

This heartbreaking event serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in law enforcement and the profound impact of such incidents on the community.