In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage and demands for justice, a 13-year-old boy named Nyah Mway was shot and killed by police in central New York on Friday. The New York Attorney General Letitia James' office is currently investigating the shooting of Nyah Mway, who was born in Myanmar and belongs to the Karen ethnic minority.

According to Utica police, the officers pursued and tackled the teenager after a foot chase, ultimately shooting him. Body camera footage released by the police showed the youth aiming an object at them before they took him down. The object was later identified as a BB gun that closely resembled a real firearm. Police justified their actions, stating that the device lacked the orange band typically found on BB guns in recent years to distinguish them from actual firearms.

While official investigations are underway, Nyah Mway's family and members of the community are demanding accountability for the tragic death of the teenager. Lay Htoo, who identified himself as one of Nyah's cousins, expressed their family's disappointment, saying, "We came to the United States, finally, to get the education and to get the good jobs here." He emphasized that the family had hoped for a peaceful life after fleeing decades of strife and violence in Myanmar.

Nyah Mway's parents are anxiously awaiting the release of their son's body and seeking reassurance that the officers responsible for their son's death will face appropriate consequences. Lay Htoo added, "They want them to be in prison forever." At a vigil held on Saturday night, Nyah's brother, Lah, demanded that the officers involved be "put in jail."

The incident has raised questions among community members about the police's account of the shooting. According to police, the teenagers were stopped because they fit the description of suspects involved in an armed robbery. The body camera footage showed officers attempting to pat down the boys for weapons when Nyah Mway fled, turned, and appeared to point an object at them.

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams held a news conference on Saturday, expressing the department's deep sorrow and referring to the incident as "a tragic and traumatic incident for all involved." Both Officer Bryce Patterson and Officer Patrick Husnay, who tackled Nyah Mway to the ground and fired the fatal shot, respectively, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigations.

The attorney general's office is required by New York law to investigate all deaths caused by law enforcement. In addition to the official investigation, the Utica Police Department will review whether the officers followed established policies and training.

Isabella Moo, Nyah's cousin, criticized the police narrative, asserting that it seemed like an attempt to "criminalize him a lot more and trying to protect the police officers." She emphasized the need for better training and accountability among law enforcement officers, stating, "The escalation of this should not have happened, and our police officers need to be trained a lot better or a lot differently."

Nyah Mway's family fled from Myanmar to Thailand nearly two decades ago and later resettled in the United States through a refugee program. Described as a bright young boy who enjoyed math, soccer, and spending time with friends, Nyah was also known for caring for his younger siblings. The cousin revealed that on the night of the incident, Nyah informed his mother that he was going to a store before his untimely death.

Utica, with a population of 65,000, is home to over 4,200 people from Myanmar, according to nonprofit organization The Center, which aids in refugee resettlement. The tragic death of Nyah Mway has deeply affected not only his family but also the local community, igniting calls for accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies.

As investigations into Nyah Mway's death continue, the heartbroken family seeks answers, justice, and a reassurance that such a tragedy will never befall another child in their community.