Teenager shot dead by police in Utica

The teen was killed shortly after 10 p.m. Friday in Utica after officers arrested two youths as part of an armed robbery investigation, police said.

The youths, both 13, matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects and were in the same area around the same time the next day, police said. One of them was also walking on the road, which is a violation under state traffic laws.

Body camera video released by police shows an officer saying he has to search them to make sure they don't have any weapons in their possession. Immediately, one of the two, identified by the police as Nyah Mway, fled.

Authorities froze the video footage of Nyah Mway running and apparently pointing his gun at the pursuing officers. Police also edited the video to insert a red circle around the gun to show it to viewers.

Officers thought it was a handgun, police said, but it was later determined to be a replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun with a removable charger.

“During a struggle on the ground” with the teen, one of the officers fired a single shot that struck the boy in the chest, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said.

The teen received “immediate” first aid from officers and was taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died, the chief said.

The replica gun carried by the teen “is in all respects a realistic-looking firearm with GLOCK markings, signatures, detachable magazine and serial numbers,” said Lt. Michael Curley, police spokesperson, by email. “However, at the end of the day, he only shoots pellets or BBs.”

A video posted on Facebook shows one of the police officers chasing Nyah Mway and tackling him to the ground. We also see the police officer hitting the teenager as two other police officers arrive. A shot rings out while the teenager is on the ground and the police quickly get up.

The officer who fired his weapon has been identified as Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the agency. Husnay and officers Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Police body camera video shows a chaotic scene.

Nyah Mway points the replica handgun at the officers as he runs away from them. The officers yell “gun!” at each other as they run. Patterson then tackles and punches Nyah Mway, and as the two wrestle on the ground, Husnay opens fire.

Police initially thought Nyah Mway had shot himself in the head, and Patterson said, “I don't know if he shot me.” It's unclear whether he was referring to Nyah Mway or another officer. Patterson was not hit.

Bystanders shout at police throughout the recordings, and at one point a police officer responds, “We're trying to save him right now!” »

The other youth was arrested in the back of a police vehicle and was not involved in the shooting.

During his “public safety statement,” a brief interview typically conducted following a police shooting to ensure there was no additional threat, Husnay said he fired a round “directly toward the ground.” He did not know whether Nyah Mway fired at the officers, but said he believed the weapon was a .22-caliber handgun.

The police department released the body camera videos following a public outcry as the shooting raged in Utica, a city of 65,000. It is home to more than 4,200 people from Myanmar, according to The Center, a nonprofit that helps with refugee resettlement.

Nyah Mway, who local media reported was a Grade 8 student at Donovan Secondary School, was identified as a Myanmar-born refugee and member of the Karen ethnic minority.

The Karen are an ethnic minority among groups at war with the military rulers of Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. The military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that demanded a return to democratic rule.

A tense news conference ended early Saturday as Williams, the city's mayor and an interpreter struggled to speak despite repeated outbursts from the audience. Members of the community, including the young person's family, were present.

The police department is conducting an internal investigation to determine whether officers followed policies and training. The state attorney general will open his own investigation to determine whether the shooting was justified.

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