Hundreds of people gathered at a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of a 13-year-old boy, Nyah Mway, who was fatally shot by police in Utica, N.Y. The tragic incident occurred on a Friday night when Mway, allegedly carrying a replica Glock 17 pistol, aimed the weapon at officers while attempting to flee. The police, believing the gun to be real, responded with lethal force, resulting in Mway’s death.
The officers were conducting an investigation and tried to stop and question two juvenile males walking on a street. Mway, who was carrying a pellet gun designed to look like a Glock 17, pointed the gun at the officers during a struggle. An officer fired a single shot into Mway’s chest. He was rushed to Wynn Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Mway, originally from Myanmar, had moved to Utica with his family about nine years ago. He had just completed the eighth grade at Donovan Middle School. The community was deeply affected by his death, and a vigil was held at the site where he was shot. A community meeting was also scheduled at the Tabernacle Baptist Church to address the incident and its impact on the community.
This tragic event is reminiscent of other similar incidents involving young teens and replica firearms. In Columbus, Ohio, a 13-year-old boy named Tyre King was shot and killed by police under similar circumstances. Tyre, who was carrying a BB gun that resembled a real firearm, was shot multiple times by an officer responding to a report of an armed robbery. Tyre’s death sparked protests and calls for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
Tyre King was a bubbly and resilient young boy, known for his wide smile and love for sports. His former coaches and community members described him as a kid trying to figure himself out. The incident occurred when police were dispatched to respond to reports of an armed robbery. The victim reported that a suspect was carrying a Ruger pistol. When officers arrived, they spotted Tyre and two other males matching the description of the suspects. As officers approached, Tyre allegedly reached for the BB gun in his waistband, prompting the officer to fire multiple shots.
The shooting of Tyre King has gripped the city of Columbus, where residents have been protesting the incident. They argue that uneven economic development has not benefited poorer neighborhoods like the one where Tyre lived. The community is calling for a thorough investigation and accountability from law enforcement.
Conflicting reports from witnesses and an independent autopsy have raised concerns about the circumstances of Tyre’s death. A friend who was with Tyre at the time of the shooting claimed that police ordered them to get down, but Tyre got up and ran, leading to the shooting. The county coroner’s office stated that the results of its autopsy would not be released for at least six weeks, pending toxicology tests. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has promised a thorough investigation, with the results to be turned over to a grand jury.
The area where Tyre was killed is a historic black community that has seen increased investment in recent years. However, residents argue that the city’s Summer Safety Initiative, which deploys police to patrol the streets, has led to harassment and violence. Activists have called for changes to the initiative, including allowing residents to shape its policies and implementing new trauma service programs in areas affected by violence.
The death of Tyre King was the 13th police shooting in Columbus that year, with five fatalities. The city ranks 27th among major cities for violent crime and 21st for homicides. Activists argue that the semblance of safety and access to opportunities is not shared equally among the city’s residents.
At a rally following Tyre’s death, activists released a list of demands to the city’s mayor, including community-policing initiatives and trauma service programs. Larry Robertson, a local musician, reflected on the impact of Tyre’s death, comparing it to the death of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy killed by police in Cleveland while carrying a pellet gun. Robertson expressed his frustration and sadness over the loss of young lives, emphasizing that children like Tyre and Tamir had not yet had the chance to experience life fully.
Brian Thompson, a father of twin boys, attended the rally and shared his concerns about the safety of children. He recounted a recent incident where his son asked for a paintball gun, and he had to refuse, fearing for his child’s safety. Thompson’s experience highlights the broader issue of how parents and communities grapple with the dangers posed by toy guns and the potential for tragic misunderstandings.
The deaths of Nyah Mway and Tyre King have left their communities in mourning and have sparked calls for change. As residents gather to remember these young lives, they also demand accountability and justice, hoping to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Source: Valley News Live, UPI, The Guardian
