Who Was Nyah Mway? Cops Kill 13-Year-Old Black Boy with Replica Gun

Another Young Black Life Taken by Police Brutality

Utica, NY — In yet another devastating and tragic display of police brutality and racial injustice, a 13-year-old Black boy, Nyah Mway, was ruthlessly gunned down by Utica police officers on Friday evening. The sharp, unrelenting sting of this loss has ignited righteous outrage within the community, demanding justice for Nyah and an end to systemic racism and police violence.

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The Injusticing

The events leading up to Nyah's murder are as follows: Utica police officers initiated a pedestrian stop of Nyah and another 13-year-old youth, claiming that one of them was riding a bicycle in the road. During this interaction, Nyah fled, allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. Officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, fatally striking Nyah. The object in Nyah's possession was later revealed to be a pellet gun.

The Oppressive Footage

Body camera footage released by the Utica Police Department on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@UticaPD) and photos of the pellet gun add further fuel to the fire of injustice. The footage depicts:

• Officers Husnay, Bryce Patterson, and Andrew Citriniti approaching Nyah and the other youth.
• Patterson citing the bicycle as the reason for the stop.
• Nyah, with hands raised, fleeing the scene, prompting a chase during which officers claim he possessed a weapon.
• Husnay firing a single shot, later confirming he pulled the trigger.
• Nyah on the ground, having been shot, while Husnay's weapon is still drawn.

The three officers, complicit in this heinous act, are currently on paid administrative leave, a common occurrence in these dehumanizing situations, providing paid vacations for officers acting as judge, jury, and executioner.

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Remembering Nyah Mway

Nyah Mway, a bright young soul, had recently graduated from 8th grade at Donovan Middle School. The interim superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Davis, released a statement extending "deepest condolences and heartfelt wishes" to Nyah's loved ones.

Nyah's life story is one of resilience and courage. A refugee born in Myanmar, he was a member of the Karen ethnic minority. Utica, home to over 4,200 other individuals from Myanmar, had become Nyah's new community. However, the very entity meant to protect its citizens robbed Nyah of his future.

On Saturday evening, a candlelight vigil was held to commemorate Nyah's life, with speaker Kay Klo, director at Midtown Utica Community Center, calling for justice and accountability:

"We gather here to honor and support our little brother, Nyah Mway. He was tragically murdered by police officers... The story they told at the press conference, what witnesses say they say, and what was seen in the video. None of it adds up. The police officers need to be investigated and held accountable for their actions."

The Investigations

Adding insult to injury, the New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations has launched an inquiry into Nyah's death, as mandated by state law for officer-involved shootings. Furthermore, the Utica Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation through its Professional Standards Unit, a performative attempt at accountability.

Location of Unjusticing

Utica, nestled between the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains in Mohawk Valley, is home to approximately 65,000 residents. It is located about 55 miles east of Syracuse and 95 miles west of Albany.

This peaceful community has been shaken to its core by the senseless death of Nyah Mway. The fight for justice continues, demanding an end to police brutality and the senseless killing of Black and Brown lives.

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Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior journalist for USA TODAY. Contact: nalund@usatoday.com. Twitter: @nataliealund