Police in Utica, New York, said an officer shot and killed a 13-year-old boy during a chase Friday night. Police said they believe the boy was brandishing a handgun. Above, vehicles drive along Genesee Street after a fresh snowfall on January 31, 2017, in Utica, New York.
Hans Penick/AP
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Hans Penick/AP
Grief and anger swept through Utica, New York, after a police officer shot and killed 13-year-old Nyah Mway on Friday night.
The Utica Police Department said the fatal shooting occurred during a chase between Mway and three officers. Police saw what they believed to be a handgun on Mway, according to a statement posted by the department on Facebook. Mwe, who had just graduated from high school two days earlier, was shot and pinned to the ground by a police officer, later identified by police as Patrick Husnay. The weapon on Mway was later determined to be a pellet gun.
Efforts to contact Mway’s relatives were unsuccessful, but on a GoFundMe page set up by his family, he was remembered as “an outgoing kid who loved riding his bike and playing outside.” Family members described him as “a good kid” who had “never been in trouble with law enforcement before.”
According to the GoFundMe page, Mwe and his family came to the United States from Myanmar eight years ago as Karen refugees. Thousands of Karen refugees have settled in Utica over the years, fleeing racial and religious persecution by the Burmese government.
How the shooting unfolded
Police patrolled the streets of West Utica Friday night investigating a series of armed robberies in the area. Police said the suspect was an Asian male and was carrying a black gun.
Police said three officers stopped Mway and another 13-year-old boy on the street around 10 p.m., believing the two boys fit the description of a robbery suspect.
In body camera footage released by law enforcement, an officer asks Mwe to be searched for a possible weapon while Mwe attempts to flee. The officers followed closely behind.
Police said in a statement that officers believed Mwe was pointing a gun at officers. In body camera footage, an officer yells “gun!” and pushes Mway to the ground. Soon, all three police officers appeared hovering over Mwe. About 15 seconds into the pursuit, officers fired one shot.
Screams from onlookers ensued. An officer attempted to perform chest compressions on Mowe. He was then taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Police said they found a replica Glock 17 Gen5 pistol with a detachable magazine at the scene. It was later determined to be a pellet gun.
Police officer takes paid administrative leave
Utica police identified the officers involved as Husnay, a six-year veteran of the Utica Police Department; Bryce Patterson, a four-year veteran; and Andrew Sitter Andrew Citriniti, who has been on the force for two and a half years.
Police Chief Mark Williams said all three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Utica police said they have launched an internal investigation. The New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations will also investigate whether the shooting violated state law.
“Our hearts go out to the officer involved and the family of the deceased,” the Utica Police Department said in a statement Saturday.
In a statement Saturday night, the department added: “It is our sincerest hope that at the conclusion of these investigations, a fair, fair and thorough investigation will be completed and answers to any outstanding questions will be provided.”
community response
At a news conference Saturday, Utica Mayor Michael P. Galim said transparency will be a top priority.
“What happened in our community last night has become very familiar and routine, over and over again,” he said.
Many family, friends and community members attended the meeting, expressing their anger, sadness and disbelief at the situation.
Hundreds of people also gathered for a vigil for Mwe on Saturday, bringing flowers, balloons and candles.
Mwe’s brother said: “We will not be satisfied until the killer is put in jail.” According to the Daily Sentinel.
