A New York City police department is furious after a 13-year-old boy was wrestled to the ground and fatally shot by police after allegedly displaying a firearm.
In footage circulating on social media, three police officers are seen chasing the Asian man on foot as he fled from being detained by Utica police officers around 10:18 p.m. Friday.
As the teen ran, the Utica Police Department said he displayed what appeared to be a gun, according to an initial statement posted on Facebook.
An officer caught up with the boy and threw him to the ground before hitting him on the front lawn of a residential area.
The other two officers joined in the assault before one of them fired a gun at the boy.
A New York City is furious after a 13-year-old boy was knocked to the ground and fatally shot by police after allegedly displaying a firearm.
A press conference held on Saturday morning at the town hall addressed the situation. A large crowd of concerned citizens attended, expressing their outrage and grief.
The mother of the 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by Utica police cries after listening to a translator inside City Hall in Utica, New York, on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
Neighbours who witnessed the incident had been filming with their mobile phones, shouting ‘be careful, be careful’ to the police.
After the gunshot echoed through the neighborhood, witnesses filming the incident screamed in horror. Through tears and with a broken voice, one person exclaimed: ‘My God! Hey! He just shot him!’
The boy was rushed to Wynn Hospital where life-saving efforts were made, but he died from his injuries.
TO Press conference A demonstration was held at City Hall on Saturday morning addressing the situation. A large crowd of concerned citizens turned out to express their outrage and pain.
Chief Mark Williams presented the opening details of the case, facing boos and shouts from the audience.
‘On June 28, at approximately 10:18 p.m., Utica officers assigned to the crime prevention unit detained two men in the 900 block of Shaw Street in connection with a police investigation. During the arrest, one of the individuals fled from police on foot. As he fled, the young man displayed what appeared to be a gun.
A relative of the victim was reportedly present, prompting one person to ask the audience to keep their thoughts to themselves out of respect.
“There are a lot of emotions in this room,” Williams said at one point. “But they ask us to be transparent, and when they yell at us, it’s very difficult to do so.”
Williams continued: “A police officer eventually fired his firearm once, striking the man during a struggle on the ground. The victim is described as a 13-year-old Asian boy to whom police officers immediately provided first aid on The officers recovered a replica Glock 17 pistol with a detachable magazine. This replica pistol was ultimately discovered to be a pellet gun.
Mayor Michael Galime said the incident “turned tragic in just moments” and he promised full transparency “to ensure the community can understand how to be a part of this process as each piece unfolds.”
“I cannot put into words that this moment cannot change what changed forever as of last night. Our condolences to the families, the community and all of Utica and the surrounding areas for what is happening during this event.” , he concluded.
Chief Mark Williams presented the opening details of the case, facing boos and shouts from the audience.
A crowd gathers in front of City Hall for a news conference in Utica, New York, Saturday, June 29, 2024.
‘On June 28, at approximately 10:18 p.m., Utica officers assigned to the crime prevention unit detained two men in the 900 block of Shaw Street in connection with a police investigation,’ Chief Williams said in a press conference.
The identities of the officers involved will be released “in a short period of time,” according to Chief Williams.
Once research protocols are followed, unedited body camera footage will be released.
Meanwhile, the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to CNY Central.
A dual investigation is underway: the Attorney General’s Office will determine possible criminal charges, while the UPD’s Professional Standards Unit will handle the administrative aspects.