A New York town is furious after a 13-year-old boy was tackled to the ground and fatally shot by police after allegedly displaying a firearm.
In footage circulating on social media, three cops are seen chasing the Asian male on foot as he fled from being stopped by Utica police officers around 10:18 pm on Friday.
As the teen was running, the Utica Police Department said that he displayed what appeared to be a hand gun, according to an initial statement released on Facebook.
One officer caught up with the boy and wrestled him to the ground before punching him in a front lawn in a residential area.
The other two officers joined in the assault before one of them fired a gun at the boy.
A New York town is furious after a 13-year-old boy was tackled to the ground and fatally shot by police after allegedly displaying a firearm
A press conference held on Saturday morning at city 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, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024
Neighbors who witnessed the incident had been filming with their cell phones, yelling ‘careful, careful’ to the cops.
After the gunshot rang through the neighborhood, witnesses filming the incident screaming in horror. Through tears and a breaking voice, one person exclaimed ‘Oh my god! Yo! He just shot him!’
The boy was rushed to Wynn Hospital where life saving efforts were attempted, but he died from the injuries he sustained.
A press conference held on Saturday morning at city hall addressed the situation. A large crowd of concerned citizens attended, expressing their outrage and grief.
Chief Mark Williams presented the initial details of the case, facing jeers and shouts from the audience.
‘On June 28 at approximately 10.18pm, the Utica officers assigned to the crime prevention unit conducted a stop of two males on the 900 block of Shaw Street regarding a police investigation. During the stop, one of the individuals fled from the police on foot. While fleeing, the youth displayed what appeared to be a handgun.’
A family member of the victim was reportedly present, prompting one person to ask the audience to keep their thoughts to themselves out of respect.
‘There’s a lot of emotions in this room,’ Williams said at one point. ‘But you’re asking us to be transparent, and when you shout over us, it makes it very difficult to do so.’
Williams continued: ‘A police officer ultimately discharged his firearm once, striking the male during a ground struggle. The victim is described as a 13-year-old Asian male who was given immediate first aid on the scene by the police officers and later transported to the hospital where, unfortunately, he succumbed to his wounds. The officers did recover a replica Glock 17 handgun with a detachable magazine. This replica handgun was ultimately found to be a pellet gun.’
Mayor Michael Galime said the incident ‘became tragic in mere moments,’ and promised full transparency ‘to make sure the community can understand how to be part of this process as every single piece unfolds.’
‘I cannot express, in words, that this point cannot change what has forever changed as of yesterday evening. Our condolences to the families, the community and all of Utica and the surrounding areas for what is going on during this event,’ he concluded.
Chief Mark Williams presented the initial details of the case, facing jeers and shouts from the audience
A crowd gathers outside City Hall for the press conference in Utica, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024
‘On June 28 at approximately 10.18pm, the Utica officers assigned to the crime prevention unit conducted a stop of two males on the 900 block of Shaw Street regarding a police investigation,’ said Chief Williams at a press conference
The identities of the involved officers will be released ‘in a short period of time,’ according to Chief Williams.
After investigative protocols have been followed, the unedited bodycam footage will be released.
In the meantime, the officer has been put on paid administrative leave, according to CNY Central.
A dual investigation is underway: the Attorney General’s Office will determine potential criminal charges, while the UPD’s Professional Standards Unit will handle the administrative aspects.
