Late Saturday, shocking footage was released showing an officer in upstate New York fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy who had been tackled to the ground after running from police and pointing a replica handgun at them. The tragic incident occurred late Friday in Utica, a city located about 240 miles northwest of Manhattan.

According to the police, the officers had stopped two 13-year-old youths in connection with an armed robbery investigation. The teenagers matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects and were in the same area around the same time. Additionally, one of the youths was walking in the road, which was a violation of state traffic law.

The body camera video released by the police captured an officer stating the need to frisk the teenagers for weapons. In response, one of them, identified as Nyah Mway, immediately fled. Authorities froze frames of the video, highlighting the moment when the fleeing teenager appeared to point the replica gun at the pursuing officers. Notably, the police edited the video to help viewers identify the weapon, adding a red circle around it.

Although the officers believed the replica gun to be a real handgun, they later determined it to be a replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine. It was designed to fire only pellets or BBs, making it a non-lethal weapon.

During the subsequent struggle on the ground, one of the officers fired a single shot that struck the teenager in the chest. The officers immediately provided first aid to the injured teenager and rushed him to Wynn Hospital, but tragically he succumbed to his injuries.

The Utica Police Department confirmed that the replica gun carried by the teenager was highly realistic in appearance, bearing authentic Glock markings, signatures, detachable magazine, and serial numbers. However, it was incapable of firing real bullets.

The officer who fired the fatal shot was identified as Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the agency. Following the incident, Officer Husnay and two other officers involved, Bryce Patterson and Andrew Citriniti, were placed on administrative leave with pay.

The released body camera footage captured a chaotic scene, with officers initially suspecting that the teenager had shot himself. Patterson, who tackled and punched the teenager during the struggle, expressed confusion, saying, "I don't know if he shot me," although it remains unclear whether he was referring to himself or another officer. Fortunately, Patterson was unharmed.

Throughout the recordings, bystanders could be heard screaming at the police, while one officer responded, "We're trying to save him right now!" in an attempt to address the tense situation.

The other youth involved in the incident was detained in the back of a police vehicle and was not directly involved in the shooting.

In response to public outcry and the unrest within the community, the police department released the body camera videos. The incident has sparked controversy and outrage in Utica, a city with a population of over 65,000, which is also home to a significant number of refugees from Myanmar.

The Utica Police Department is currently conducting its own internal investigation to determine whether the officers followed proper policies and training. Additionally, the state attorney general's office will open its own case to investigate whether the shooting was justified.

During a tense news conference, Chief Mark Williams extended his condolences to the family of the deceased teenager, acknowledging the tragic and traumatic nature of the incident for all involved. The news conference ended prematurely due to repeated outbursts from the attendees, including members of the community and the teenager's family.

As the investigations proceed, the community of Utica and the nation at large grapples with yet another incident that raises concerns about police use of force and the safety of teenagers in encounters with law enforcement.