What we know about the fatal police shooting of a 13-year-old boy in Utica, NY: NPR

Grief and anger swept through the city of Utica, NY after a police officer shot and killed Nyah Mway, a 13-year-old boy, Friday night.

Utica police said the fatal shooting occurred during a foot chase between Mway and three officers. The officers saw what they thought was a gun near Mway, according to a statement the department released on Facebook. Mway, who graduated from high school just two days earlier, was then tackled to the ground before an officer, later identified by police as Patrick Husnay, discharged his firearm. The weapon near Mway was later determined to be a pellet gun.

Attempts to contact Mway's relatives were unsuccessful, but a GoFundMe page set up by his family remembered him as “an outgoing boy who loved to ride his bike and play outside.” The family said he was “a good kid” who “has never been in trouble with the police.”

According to the GoFundMe page, Mway and his family came to the U.S. from Myanmar, also known as Burma, as Karen refugees more than eight years ago. Over the years, thousands of Karen refugees have settled in Utica to flee ethnic and religious persecution by the Myanmar government.

How the shooting unfolded

Police officers were patrolling the streets of West Utica Friday night to investigate a series of armed robberies in the area. The suspects were described as Asian males carrying a black firearm, police said.

Around 10 p.m., three officers stopped Mway and another 13-year-old boy on the street outside, believing the two boys matched the description of the robbery suspects, police said.

In bodycam footage released by police, an officer asks to search Mway for a possible weapon, and Mway tries to run away. The officers followed him.

In a statement, police said officers believed Mway was holding a firearm and pointing it at the officers. In the body camera footage, an officer shouted “Gun!” and tackled Mway to the ground. Soon all three officers appeared above Mway. About 15 seconds after the chase began, a shot was fired by police.

Screams from bystanders followed. An officer attempted to perform chest compressions on Mway. He was later taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police said they found a replica Glock 17 Gen5 pistol with a detachable magazine at the scene. It was later determined to be an air rifle.

Police officers are placed on administrative leave with pay

Utica police identified the officers involved as Husnay, who has been with the Utica Police Department for six years; Bryce Patterson, who has been with the department for four years; and Andrew Citriniti, who has been with the department for two and a half years.

Police Chief Mark Williams said all three officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay.

Utica police said an internal investigation has been launched. The New York State Attorney General's Office of Special Investigations will also investigate whether the shooting violated state law.

On Saturday, Utica police said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with our involved officers and the family of the deceased youth.”

In a later statement on Saturday evening, the department added: “It is our sincere wish that at the conclusion of these investigations an impartial, fair and thorough investigation will have been completed, which will provide answers to all remaining questions.”

Community response

During a press conference on Saturday, Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime said transparency will be a priority.

“What happened last night in our community is an event that has become all too familiar and routine, over and over again,” he said.

Numerous family members, friends and community members attended the conference and expressed their anger, sadness and disbelief at the situation.

On Saturday, hundreds also gathered for a vigil in Mway's honor, bringing flowers, balloons and candles.

“We will not be satisfied until the murderers are in jail,” said Mway's elder brother, The daily sentry reported.