A 13-year-old boy carrying a “realistic looking” replica firearm died after being shot by police in New York state, US authorities said.
The shooting occurred after two young men were detained by officers investigating robberies in Utica, about 240 miles northwest of Manhattan, on Friday night.
They approached them because they “matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects,” police said.
One of them ran before pointing what appeared to be a gun at officers, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told reporters.
A video on social media shows the boy being chased by an officer who throws him to the ground.
Two more officers catch up to them, after which a shot is heard.
“My God, he just shot her,” says a bystander.
The shooting occurred in Utica, New York state. Photo: AP
The boy was shot in the chest after one of the officers fired a single shot at him, Williams said.
The teenager, identified in local reports as Nyah Mway, a refugee from Myanmar, was given first aid at the scene but later died in hospital.
The gun had Glock markings, police said. Photo: Utica Police Department
Photo: Utica Police Department
Officers recovered a replica Glock 17 Gen 5 pistol with a detachable magazine, Williams said.
The dummy had “Glock markings, signatures, a detachable magazine and serial numbers,” police spokesman Lt. Michael Curley said.
It is “in every respect a realistic looking firearm,” he added.
“Ultimately, though, it just shoots pellets or ammunition,” Curley said.
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The Utica Police Department said its “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” were with Nyah Mway’s family.
“We will continue to be as transparent and accessible to the family and community as the law allows as this process continues,” the department said on Facebook.
He identified the officers involved as Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti, who were placed on paid administrative leave.
Utica Mayor Michael Galime, center right in a gray jacket, speaks with members of the boy’s family. Photo: AP
“Officer Husnay is the officer who fired his service weapon, injuring the juvenile,” the department said.
“As illustrated” in the body-worn camera (BWC) footage, “when officers questioned and went to search Nyah Mway, he immediately fled on foot,” he added.
“While fleeing, he produced a replica Glock pellet gun from the front of his body, and during the 51 and 53 seconds in Officer Patterson’s BWC, he pointed the weapon directly at Officer Patterson and the other officers,” the officer said. department.
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During a meeting at Utica City Hall on Saturday, Mayor Michael Galime said he understood the “weight of this situation.”
He added: “Everything will be released and everyone in this room and the entire community will have access to all that information.”
While some people dismissed the officials’ comments, others asked for silence so members of the boy’s community could hear an interpreter’s translations.
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.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
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