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

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

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

“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 . »

Uniformed body 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 yelling as they chase Mway.

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

The police called for help and provided first aid before an ambulance arrived. Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said at a news conference Saturday that the young man was shot in the chest.

In addition to the video, police released photos, shown below, that show the gun found near Mway's body. Police have since determined that it was a “Glock” brand pellet gun.

“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 law, the attorney general's office investigates every death that occurs at the hands of law enforcement. The Utica Police Department's investigation, meanwhile, will determine whether officers followed policies and training.

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

Family and 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 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 mayor's office.

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 officials' account of the shooting.

“None of this makes sense,” said Kay Klo, one of those present at the meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report..