This bodycam footage, released by the Police Department in Utica, New York, shows two of their officers and their actions in a recent deadly force incident. Herein, a 13-year-old suspect armed with what appears to be a handgun is shot while fighting with one of the officers. After the fact, the suspect’s age is discovered, as is the nature of the weapon, which proved to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. Viewer discretion is advised.

The officers are patrolling in response to reports of a string of armed robberies in the area. They encounter two individuals who match the description of the suspects, and are furthermore in violation of a New York law regarding walking in the roadway. This provides cause to stop and interview the pair. Both are minors- 13-year-old Nyah Mway was identified post-mortem as result of this incident, but the other suspect’s identity has been withheld.

As the officer attempts to frisk Mway, he immediately flees. It is admittedly somewhat difficult to catch, but the bodycam footage shows that around the 0:20 mark, Mway turns toward the officer with a black object in his hand. In response, the officer knocks Mway to the ground and a hands-on struggle ensues, during which the officer shoots Mway one time in the chest, at around 0:27.

At 01:10, we see the incident play out from another officer’s perspective. He tries to shoot Mway as well, but encounters a malfunction with his weapon. It is this officer that recovers the object Mway was carrying- a pellet-firing replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5, complete with articulating slide and removable magazine. It notably lacks any sort of orange marking which would identify it as a toy, and is similar enough to a real firearm that the officer suspects it of being .22 caliber later in this video.

At 02:09, a third officer’s footage is shown. From his perspective, we see the first two officers attempting to provide medical aid to Mway, as well as some of the associated radio traffic. Despite the aid rendered and rapid transport to an area hospital, 13-year-old Nyah Mway succumbed to his injury.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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