13-year-old boy dies after police shooting in New York state | US News

Utica police say the teenager – identified in local reports as Nyah Mway – was carrying a replica firearm. He received first aid at the scene but later died in hospital.

A 13-year-old boy who was carrying a “realistic-looking” replica firearm has died from police gunfire in New York state, US authorities said.

The shooting occurred after two teenagers were stopped Friday night by officers investigating a robbery in Utica, about 235 miles (380 kilometers) northwest of Manhattan.

They were approached because they “matched the description of the robbery suspects,” police said.

One of them ran before pointing what he believed to be a handgun at officers, Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told reporters.

A video on social media shows the boy being chased by a police officer and wrestled to the ground.

Two more officers catch up with them and a shot is heard.

“Oh my God, he just shot him,” says a passerby.

The boy was hit 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 – received first aid at the scene but later died in hospital.

Officers found 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,” said police spokesman Lieutenant Michael Curley.

It is “a firearm that looks realistic in every respect,” he added.

“Ultimately, though, it just fires pellets or BBs,” Mr Curley said.

Utica police said their “sincere thoughts and prayers” are 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 progresses,” the department said on Facebook.

The officers involved are Patrick Husnay, Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti, who have been placed on leave with continued pay.

“Officer Husnay is the officer who fired his service weapon and struck the juvenile,” the department said.

According to footage from a body-worn camera, Nyah Mway “immediately fled on foot when officers asked him to search him,” the statement added.

“As he fled, he pulled a replica Glock air rifle from the front of his body and pointed the weapon directly at Officer Patterson and the other officers during the 51st and 53rd seconds of Officer Patterson’s BWC,” the department said.

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During a meeting at Utica City Hall on Saturday, Mayor Michael Galime said he was aware of the “seriousness of this situation.”

He added: “Everything will be published and everyone in this room and the entire community will have access to all of this information.”

While some people shouted down the officers’ comments, others called for calm so that members of the boy’s community could hear translations from an interpreter.

Mr. Galime said the city would be transparent in its investigation and he and other officials would meet privately with the teenager’s family and other community members.