Who is Nyay Mway? NYPD shoots South Asian boy for holding air rifle – video goes viral

In a shocking incident on Friday, police shot and killed a minor when he allegedly displayed a pellet gun after being asked to stop while walking down the street. The minor was identified as Nyah Mway, who was stopped by Utica police along with another minor at 10:20 p.m. on Friday night. A video of the incident is making the rounds online and the three officers involved are currently on paid leave.

Who was Nyay Mway?

The 13-year-old boy shot and killed by police in upstate New York is Nyay Mway. The boy was an 8th grader at Donovan Middle School, AP reported. He was part of a refugee family from Myanmar. The Mway family settled in Utic, home to more than 4,200 refugees from the Asian country formerly known as Burma. The middle school student was a member of the Karen ethnic group, an ethnic minority among the groups rebelling against military rule in Myanmar.

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Two minors are pursued by three officers: Clock

The video shows the dark street where the incident occurred. Three police officers can be seen chasing the two teenagers down the street as one of them is tackled to the ground by an officer, the New York Post reported. The screams of bystanders can be heard as the other two officers intervene in the ground fight.

A woman among the passersby screamed, “Careful, careful, yo, careful. They’re in the frame,” as the sound of a gunshot was heard. Another passerby screamed in disbelief, “Oh my God! Yo! He just shot him.”

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After the incident, a press conference was held to discuss the night’s events and progress. As reported by Scyruse.com, 50 members of the Mway family, police officers and the public attended the press conference. The Burmese minor’s mother burst into tears as the police officer’s remarks were translated into her native language.

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Statements from the authorities on the incident

As reported by the New York Post, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams addressed those present during the press conference. He said Mway was carrying a handgun and displayed it as he ran from officers. The boy was shot in the chest when officers tackled him and died of his injuries at Wynn Hospital in Utica. Police said they recovered a Glock air pistol with a detachable magazine.

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Utica Mayor Michael Galime addressed the issue, saying, “I cannot put into words that this point cannot change what has changed forever since last night.” He continued, “Our condolences go out to the families, the community and all of Utica and the surrounding areas for what happened during this event.”

The mayor assured Mway’s mother that the body camera video would be released soon.