US police kill teenager with replica gun

An upstate New York police officer fatally shot a 13-year-old boy who allegedly pointed a replica handgun at officers, authorities said.

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said the shooting happened Friday evening after officers in the city, about 250 miles (400 km) northwest of Manhattan, arrested two youths.

One of them ran and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers, he said at a news conference.

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

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

Local media identified him as Nyah Mway, a 13-year-old Karen refugee born in Myanmar and an 8th grader at Donovan Middle School.

Police spokesman Lt. Michael Curley later confirmed the name.

The Karen are an ethnic minority among groups at war with the military rulers of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

In a statement posted online, Acting Utica City Superintendent Kathleen Davis offered her condolences to the victim's family.

Davis expressed his “deep sadness” over this “tragic and senseless loss” and also offered his support to “our law enforcement partners, who work tirelessly to keep our streets safe.”

Utica Mayor Michael Galime said the city would be transparent in its investigation and that he and other officials would meet privately with the teen's family and other community members.

Williams said the New York State Attorney General's Office would lead the investigation and determine whether it was warranted.

According to Williams, the police department will also conduct an internal investigation to determine whether officers followed policies and training.

He said the ministry was aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media, but cautioned that it did not fully represent the incident.