Police release body camera footage of teen's fatal shooting, family demands accountability

UTICA, N.Y. (WSYR) — Police in Utica, New York, released footage from officers' uniform-worn cameras that appear to show a teenager pointing an object at them seconds before being tackled to the ground and shot. The boy's family is now demanding justice.

Shortly after 10 p.m. EDT Friday, Utica police arrested two 13-year-old boys because they matched the description of two suspects wanted for two recent robberies in the West Utica area, according to a department spokesperson. Officers also noticed one of the teens walking in the road, a violation of state traffic laws.

“The suspects were described as Asian males who brandished a black-colored firearm and demanded force and stole property from the victims,” police said, “…one being on foot and the other on a bicycle . »

Uniform camera footage shows an officer asking if he can search the teens for weapons. Nyah Mway is then seen running away from the officers, who then chase him.

The footage, some of which can be seen in the video player below, then shows Mway apparently pointing an object at the officers.

“Gun! I have to shoot! An officer can be heard screaming as they chase Mway.

Officer Bryce Patterson caught up to Nyah Mway, tackled him to the ground and punched him, and as the two struggled on the ground, Officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, body camera video showed.

The police called for help and provided first aid themselves before an ambulance arrived. Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said at a news conference Saturday that the single gunshot hit the youth in the chest.

Along with the video, police released photos, seen below, which show the weapon found with Mway's body. Police have since determined it was a pellet gun marked “Glock.”

“We will cooperate fully with the attorney general's office,” Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said Saturday morning. “They will ultimately make the decision whether or not the shooting of the individual was justified.”

Three officers involved — Bryce Patterson, Andrew Citriniti and Patrick Husnay, who fired the shot — are on paid administrative leave, a department policy after an officer-involved shooting.

Under New York state law, the attorney general's office investigates every death involving law enforcement. The Utica Police Department's investigation, meanwhile, will examine whether officers followed policies and training.

The police chief called the shooting “a tragic and traumatic incident for everyone involved.”

Family, community demand accountability after shooting

As the official investigation continues, Nyah Mway's family and outraged community members have demanded accountability for the death of the teenager, who was born in Myanmar and is a member of the Karen ethnic minority.

Utica residents of Karen descent planned to meet Sunday afternoon with Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime, said Daniel Cribb, who works with a Karen community group. A message seeking comment was sent to the town hall.

At a vigil Saturday night, Nyah Mway's brother, Lah, said through an interpreter that he would not be satisfied until the officers “are put in jail,” Syracuse.com reported.

Nyah Mway and her family arrived in the United States nine years ago, according to speakers at the vigil.

Others at the vigil questioned the official account of the shooting.

“None of this matters,” said Kay Klo, one of those at the rally.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.