Locals in Utica staged a vigil and protests against the New York police after a 13-year-old boy, Nyah Mway, a Karen refugee from Myanmar, was shot dead on Friday night. Authorities reported that the teen displayed what appeared to be a gun, later identified as a replica. According to a news release from the police, three officers stopped two teenagers around 10 pm local time as part of an investigation into recent robberies. One teen fled on foot, and during the pursuit, officers saw what they believed to be a handgun.
At a Saturday morning news conference, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams explained that an officer fired his weapon during a struggle, striking the boy. Despite immediate first aid and transportation to Wynn Hospital, Mway succumbed to his injuries. The gun was later found to be a pellet gun resembling a Glock 17 with a detachable magazine. The officer who fired the shot, identified as Patrick Husnay, has been with the Utica Police Department for six years. Officers Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti were also involved.
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Police released footage from the officers’ body cameras and a photo of the recovered pellet gun. The footage showed Mway fleeing and briefly pointing the pellet gun at the officers before being tackled and subsequently shot by Husnay. The New York attorney general’s office has initiated an investigation into the incident, and the Utica police are conducting their own investigation, placing all three officers on paid administrative leave.
The incident has sparked significant community outrage, with the police chief’s news conference frequently interrupted by upset community members. Utica Mayor Michael Galime urged calm and emphasized the importance of thoroughly understanding the situation. Utica has a diverse population, with a significant number of refugees, including many from Burma. The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees noted that over 19% of Utica’s population is foreign-born.
Utica City School District interim superintendent Dr. Kathleen Davis commented on the incident, highlighting the challenges faced by the community and expressing support for law enforcement efforts to maintain safety.
