Relatives say that Nyah Mway completed middle school in a central New York city where his family settled as refugees from Myanmar approximately ten years ago.
On Friday night, the 13-year-old was shot and killed by police after they tackled him to the ground. He had reportedly pointed what appeared to be a BB gun at them during a foot chase.
His grieving relatives and members of their immigrant community, filled with anguish, demanded justice for him and called for police accountability on Sunday.
Nyah Mway Was Taken From His Parents Due To👮‍♀️Brutality. In Utica, NY A 13 year old was shot and killed after walking home from bible study. The officer who killed this young boy has been suspended with pay. 🙏🏿‼️ #JusticeForNyahMway #PoliceDep @UticaPolice @WORLDSTAR @WKTV pic.twitter.com/7JDEK1B0Xy
— Kai đź’“ (@Jamaica_Kai) June 29, 2024
Lay Htoo, who introduced himself as one of Nyah’s cousins, explained that they had come to the United States seeking education and better job opportunities. They hoped for a peaceful life after enduring decades of conflict and violence in Myanmar.
Rather than celebrating the teenager’s transition to high school, the parents anxiously awaited the release of his body by the medical examiners, pondering the fate of the officers involved.
According to the cousin in a phone interview, there’s a desire for the officers involved to face permanent imprisonment. As the state attorney general and the Utica Police Department look into the shooting, Nyah’s relatives and other members of Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority intend to meet with Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime on Sunday afternoon. A request for comment was sent to the mayor’s office.
At present, the officers remain on paid administrative leave. The incident occurred on Friday night in Utica, an aging industrial city where numerous refugees from different countries have established themselves in recent years, contributing to a revival in a once-declining Rust Belt hub. Among the city’s 65,000 residents, over 4,200 are originally from Myanmar, as reported by The Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to refugee resettlement.
On Friday night, Nyah and another 13-year-old boy were detained by police based on their resemblance to the suspects involved in an armed robbery that occurred in the same area the previous day. Additionally, one of the teens was stopped for jaywalking. However, the police department has not yet disclosed the details of the armed robbery report or the suspect description due to the ongoing investigation.
As police stated, they initially thought it was a real handgun, but later discovered it was a BB or pellet gun. The device closely resembled a Glock 17 Gen 5 with a detachable magazine, and the absence of an orange band on the barrel made it difficult to distinguish from a firearm.
During the incident, Officer Bryce Patterson pursued Nyah, engaging in physical confrontation. Meanwhile, Officer Patrick Husnay discharged his weapon as they grappled on the ground. According to Utica Police Chief Mark Williams, the single shot struck the youth in the chest.
In a video shared on X, an officer can be seen tackling the teenager and delivering punches while two additional officers approach. The sound of a gunshot is heard as the teen lies on the ground.
According to New York law, the attorney general’s office investigates all deaths involving law enforcement. Additionally, the police department’s internal inquiry will assess whether officers adhered to established policies and training.
Williams described the shooting as a distressing and traumatic event for everyone involved, and his department emphasized their commitment to transparency by releasing information and the body camera footage.
According to Nyah’s cousin, Isabella Moo, the police narrative appeared to be an attempt to further incriminate him while safeguarding the police officers.
“She expressed that the situation should not have escalated, and emphasized the need for improved or alternative training for police officers. Additionally, she called for accountability from the city, asserting that such actions should never be taken against any child.”
Nyah’s family escaped Myanmar two decades ago, settling in a Thai refugee camp where he was born. Later, they immigrated to the United States through a resettlement program about nine years ago. Nyah’s father now works at a convenience store.
According to Htoo, Nyah enjoyed math, soccer, and socializing with friends. When not looking after his younger siblings, he occasionally joined Bible study sessions with his friends, despite his family’s Buddhist background.
Nyah’s mother last saw him on Friday night when he mentioned going to a store. Since then, she has barely slept, taking only 10-minute naps, with tears resuming each time she wakes up, cousin stated.
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