13-year-old boy dies after being shot by police in New York state
Police in Utica report that the teenager, identified in local news as Nyah Mway, was carrying a replica firearm. He received first aid at the scene but later died in the hospital.
A 13-year-old boy, identified as Nyah Mway, died after being shot by police in Utica, New York. The incident occurred on a Friday evening when officers, investigating a series of robberies, stopped two youths who matched the descriptions of the suspects. According to Utica police chief Mark Williams, one of the youths, Nyah Mway, fled and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers.
Social media video shows an officer chasing and wrestling Mway to the ground, with two more officers joining before a gunshot is heard. A bystander exclaimed, “Oh my god, he just shot him.” The shot, fired by Officer Patrick Husnay, hit Mway in the chest. Despite receiving first aid at the scene, Mway later died in the hospital.
Authorities revealed that Mway was carrying a realistic replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun. Lieutenant Michael Curley described the replica as having Glock markings, a detachable magazine, and serial numbers, making it indistinguishable from a real firearm. However, the gun was only capable of firing pellets or BBs.
The Utica Police Department expressed condolences to Mway’s family and pledged transparency during the investigation. The officers involved, identified as Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson, and Andrew Citriniti, have been placed on administrative leave with pay. The department stated that body-worn camera (BWC) footage shows Mway fleeing and pointing the replica gun at officers, which prompted Officer Husnay to fire his weapon.
During a meeting at Utica’s city hall, Mayor Michael Galime acknowledged the gravity of the situation and promised that all information would be made public. While some attendees were vocal in their dissatisfaction, others requested silence to allow translations for members of Mway’s community. Mayor Galime assured transparency in the investigation and announced plans to meet privately with Mway’s family and community members.
This tragic event has sparked a conversation about the risks associated with realistic replica firearms and the protocols for handling such situations. The case highlights the challenges police face in split-second decision-making when confronted with what appears to be a lethal threat. As the investigation proceeds, the community and Mway’s family seek clarity and justice.