The family of a 13-year-old boy killed by police in Utica, New York, is seeking justice as they mourn his death. Police Chief Mark Williams stated that officers shot Nyah Mway because he still had a realistic-looking replica gun in his hand when confronted.
Mway and a friend were stopped by police investigating a series of robberies when the tragic incident occurred.
Mway’s uncle, Lay Htoo, expressed heartbreak over losing his nephew, who had recently graduated from eighth grade. The family had moved to Utica years ago to escape unrest in Myanmar and had hoped to find safety in America.
Htoo questioned why police used lethal force, suggesting they could have used a stun gun instead. Chief Williams defended the officers’ actions, citing safety concerns based on body camera footage showing Mway with a gun. He emphasized the department’s transparency in reviewing the incident.
The officers involved, identified as Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson, and Andrew Citriniti, are on administrative leave pending an investigation. The shooting has sparked community outrage and raised concerns about police tactics and accountability.
The incident is under independent investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office, aiming to provide impartial scrutiny amid public scrutiny and demands for justice.