A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot Friday night after running from officers in Utica, New York, and then displaying what police thought to be a gun.
Nyah Mway,13, was one of two teenagers stopped by police around 10 p.m. in a residential neighborhood in Utica on Friday. Three officers were investigating recent robberies in the area, “in which the suspects were described as Asian males who brandished a black in color firearm and forcibly demanded and stole property from victims,” according to CBS News.
While questioning the teens, Mway fled on foot and police pursued them. During the chase, Mway reportedly displays what “appeared to be a gun,” Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said during the news conference Saturday morning.
“A Utica police officer ultimately discharged his firearm once, striking the male, during a ground struggle,” Williams said.
Mway was immediately given first aid by the officers. The teen later died from his wounds at Wynn Hospital.
Further investigation revealed that the weapon the teen brandished was a pellet gun, which was a replica of a Glock 17 handgun with a detachable magazine.
Patrick Husnay, a department veteran of six years, was the officer who fatally shot Mway. Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti were the other two officers involved. All three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.
A press conference was later held in an attempt to be “transparent with the case” for the community, police said.
“We called this press conference not to just explain and be completely transparent, but to offer our condolences to the family and the community for their loss,” Utica Mayor Michael Galime said. “
“Yesterday evening, while a stop like the one that occurred is routine, it became tragic in near moments. We understand, and we’re here to be completely transparent and explain everything about the incident to the community and the process moving forward.”
Utica police and The New York Attorney General’s Office have opened an investigation into the shooting.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Nyah Mway/Handout]
