Police shoot and kill teen armed with replica handgun in upstate New York, authorities say

PHILIP MARCELO, Associated Press

5 minutes ago

Police investigate the scene of Friday night's shooting in Utica, N.Y., Saturday, June 29, 2024. An officer shot and killed a teenager who was running away while he was pointing a replica gun, police said Saturday. (Kenny Lacy Jr./Syracuse.com via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — An upstate New York police officer shot and killed a teenager who was fleeing while brandishing a “realistic-looking firearm,” authorities said Saturday.

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said the shooting happened Friday night after officers in the city, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) northwest of Manhattan, arrested two youths around 10:18 p.m.

One of them fled on foot and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at officers, he said at a news conference Saturday morning at Utica City Hall. Community members, including the youth's family, were present.

One of the officers fired a single shot at the teenager “during a struggle on the ground,” hitting him in the chest, Williams said.

The teenager, who he described as a 13-year-old Asian male, received “immediate” first aid from officers and was taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died of his injuries, the police chief said.

Williams declined to provide further details about what prompted the stop or preceded the shooting, saying it would be part of the ongoing investigation. Officers, he said, recovered a replica GLOCK 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine at the scene.

“This is in all respects a realistic looking firearm with GLOCK markings, signatures, detachable magazine and serial numbers,” Lt. Michael Curley said in an email to the Associated Press later, when asked for details about the weapon. “But at the end of the day, he only shoots pellets or BBs. »

Williams said the department would later release the identities of the officer and the youth, as well as photos of the weapon. Over the next few days, he said, the department will release a report providing a “full overview of the events” as well as body camera footage of the officers involved.

Audience members sometimes shouted at the officials' remarks, while at times people pleaded with the rest of the crowd to quiet down so members of the Burmese community could hear the responses translated by a Karen interpreter.

Mayor Michael Galime stressed that the city would be transparent in its investigation, adding that he and other officials would meet privately with the youth's family and other community members to answer their questions.

“We are holding this press conference so that all of you can be present in this room,” he said. “We understand the weight of this situation and we want to make sure that every element of this situation is understood. Everything will be made public and everyone in this room and the entire community will have access to all this information. »

Williams said the New York State Attorney General's Office will lead the investigation into the shooting and determine whether it was justified.

Spokespeople for state Attorney General Letitia James' office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday.

In the meantime, the officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave until further notice, in accordance with protocol in such shootings, Williams said.

The department will also conduct its own internal investigation to see if officers followed department policies and training, he said.

Williams said the department was also aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media, but cautioned that it did not represent the incident in its entirety.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time,” he said. “This is a tragic and traumatic incident for everyone involved.”