The family of a 13-year-old boy, who was fatally shot by the police in central New York last Friday, is seeking justice and accountability for their loss.
The shooting of Nyah Mway, a member of Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority, is currently under investigation by the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. According to Utica police, the teenager was pursued on foot and tackled to the ground before being shot.
The police have initiated their own investigation into the incident and have shared body camera footage that depicts a young individual seemingly pointing an object at them before they subdued him. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the object in question was actually a BB gun that resembled a real firearm, according to the authorities.
As the official investigations were underway, Nyah Mway’s family and members of the community expressed their anger and demanded that those responsible for the teenager’s death be held accountable.
In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Lay Htoo, who introduced himself as one of Nyah’s cousins, shared that they came to the United States with the goal of obtaining education and securing good jobs. After experiencing years of conflict and turmoil in Myanmar, they hoped to establish a peaceful life in their new home.
As the parents of the teenager waited for the medical examiners to release their son’s body, they couldn’t help but wonder about the fate of the officers involved in the incident.
As per the cousin’s statement, the desire is for them to remain in prison for the rest of their lives.
During a vigil held on Saturday evening, Nyah Mway’s brother, Lah, expressed that he would not be content until the officers responsible for the incident are imprisoned. Syracuse.com reported this statement, which was conveyed through an interpreter.
Some of those present at the vigil expressed doubts regarding the officials’ explanation of the shooting.
Kay Klo, who was present at the gathering, expressed her confusion, stating that “it simply doesn’t make sense.”
Police stopped Nyah Mway and another 13-year-old boy on Friday night as they were believed to fit the descriptions of suspects involved in an armed robbery that occurred in the same area a day earlier. Additionally, one of the boys was found to be walking in the road, which is a violation of state traffic law.
The young adult was transported to Wynn Hospital, where he ultimately passed away due to his injuries.
According to police, the authorities discovered that the item the boy was holding was a BB or pellet gun that looked strikingly similar to a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun, complete with a detachable magazine. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that there was no orange band on the barrel, which is a feature that many BB gun manufacturers have added in recent years to differentiate their products from actual firearms. The police have released an image of the device to the public to aid in their investigation.
The police have released a statement acknowledging the existence of a video circulating on social media platforms that depicts the incident. However, they clarify that the video does not provide a complete representation of the incident.
As the investigations continue, Husnay, Patterson, and Officer Andrew Citriniti have been put on paid administrative leave.
In accordance with New York law, every death at the hands of law enforcement is investigated by the attorney general’s office. The investigation conducted by the Utica Police Department, on the other hand, will focus on determining whether the officers adhered to the established policies and received adequate training.
“This is a tragic and traumatic incident for all involved,” said the police chief.
According to Isabella Moo, Nyah’s cousin, the police’s account appeared to be an attempt to further incriminate Nyah while shielding the officers involved.
During a phone interview with AP, she expressed her disappointment with the escalation of the situation and stressed the need for better or different training for police officers. She firmly believes that accountability lies with the city and that no child should have been subjected to such treatment.
According to The Center, a nonprofit organization that assists in the resettlement of refugees, Utica has a population of 65,000, with over 4,200 individuals hailing from Myanmar.
The military rulers of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, are currently in conflict with various groups, including the Karens. In 2021, the army took over the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread nonviolent protests that were brutally suppressed. These actions have sparked ongoing tensions and conflict between the military and various groups in Myanmar.
According to Htoo, Nyah’s family escaped from Myanmar around twenty years ago and sought refuge in Thailand. It was in a refugee camp in Thailand where Nyah was born. After spending some time there, the family immigrated to the United States under a resettlement program around nine years ago. Nyah’s father currently works at a convenience store to provide for the family.
According to Htoo, his cousin Nyah had a strong passion for math, soccer, and socializing with his friends. He had a curious mind and was always eager to learn new things. Occasionally, he even joined his friends for Bible study sessions, despite his family’s Buddhist faith. In addition to pursuing his interests, Nyah also took care of his younger siblings.
According to the cousin, the boy told his mother on Friday night that he was heading to a store to make a purchase. Unfortunately, that was the last time she saw him.
According to him, she has not slept much since then, only managing to take short 10-minute naps. Her tears start flowing again every time she wakes up.
