Bodycam footage released after teenager killed with air rifle by New York police

UTICA, NY (WSYR) — Police in Utica, New York, have released uniform camera footage that appears to show a teenager pointing an object at them seconds before he was tackled to the ground and shot. The boy’s family is now demanding justice.

Just after 10 p.m. EDT on Friday, Utica police stopped two 13-year-old boys because they matched the description of two suspects wanted for two recent robberies in the West Utica area, according to a police department spokesman. Officers also observed one of the teens walking in the roadway, a violation of the state’s traffic laws.

“The suspects were described as Asian males brandishing a black firearm and violently demanding and stealing property from their victims,” ​​police said, “… one was on foot and the other was on a bicycle.”

In the footage from the uniform cameras, a police officer can be seen asking if he can search the youths for weapons. Nyah Mway can then be seen running away from the police officers, who then chase him.

In the footage, parts of which can be seen in the video player below, Mway can be seen apparently aiming an object at the officers.

“Gun! I need a gun!” a police officer is heard shouting as they pursue Mway.

Officer Bryce Patterson caught up with Nyah Mway, threw him to the ground and punched him, and while the two were wrestling on the ground, Officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, body camera video shows.

The officers called for help and administered first aid themselves before an ambulance arrived. Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said at a press conference on Saturday that the single shot hit the teenager in the chest.

Along with the video, police also released photos (see below) showing the weapon found on Mway’s body. Police have since determined that it is an air pistol with the brand name “Glock”.

“We will cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s Office,” Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said Saturday morning. “They will ultimately make the decision as to whether the shooting of the individual was justified or not.”

Three of the officers involved – Bryce Patterson, Andrew Citriniti and Patrick Husnay, who fired the shot – are on leave under department policy following a police-involved shooting.

Under New York State law, the Attorney General’s Office investigates every police-related death, while the Utica Police Department’s investigation is designed to determine whether officers followed policies and training.

The police chief described the shooting as “a tragic and traumatic incident for everyone involved.”

Family and community demand accountability after shooting

While official investigations are ongoing, Nyah Mway’s family and outraged community members are demanding accountability for the death of the teenager, who was born in Myanmar and belongs to the Karen ethnic minority there.

Utica residents of Karen descent planned to meet with Mayor Michael P. Galime on Sunday afternoon, said Daniel Cribb, who works with a Karen community group. A message seeking comment was sent to the mayor’s office.

At a vigil Saturday night, Nyah Mway’s brother Lah said through an interpreter that he would not be satisfied until the officers were “put in jail,” Syracuse.com reported.

According to speakers at the vigil, Nyah Mway and his family came to the United States nine years ago.

Other vigil attendees questioned officers’ account of the shooting.

“This all makes no sense,” said Kay Klo, one of the participants in the meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.