New York town in uproar after 13-year-old boy is seen being ‘wrestled to the ground and shot dead by police’ in shocking video
A New York town is outraged 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 officers are seen chasing the Asian man on foot as he fled from arrest by Utica police officers on Friday around 10:18 p.m.
As the teen ran, Utica police said he displayed what appeared to be a firearm, according to an initial statement posted on Facebook.
One officer caught up with the boy and wrestled him to the ground before punching him in a residential front yard.
The other two officers joined in the attack before one of them fired a gun at the boy.
A New York city is outraged after a 13-year-old boy was wrestled to the ground and fatally shot by police after allegedly displaying a firearm
A press conference held Saturday morning at City Hall addressed the situation. A large crowd of concerned citizens were present and expressed their outrage and sadness
The mother of the 13-year-old boy shot and killed by Utica police cries after listening to an interpreter at City Hall in Utica, New York, on Saturday, June 29, 2024
Neighbors who witnessed the incident filmed with their cell phones and shouted “careful, careful” at police.
After the shot rang out through the neighborhood, witnesses who filmed the incident screamed in horror. Through tears and with 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 made, 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 and expressed their outrage and sadness.
Chief Constable Mark Williams presented the first details of the case, to jeers and shouts from the crowd.
“On June 28 at approximately 10:18 p.m., Utica officers assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit stopped two men on the 900 block of Shaw Street in connection with a police investigation. During the check, one of the people fled from the police on foot. As he fled, the boy displayed what appeared to be a handgun.”
A family member of the victim was said to have been present, and someone asked 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 you’re asking us to be transparent, and if you shout over us, it’s going to be very difficult to do that.”
Williams continued, “A police officer ultimately fired his firearm once, hitting the man during a ground struggle. The victim is described as a 13-year-old Asian male who was immediately given first aid by police officers at the scene and later taken to hospital where he sadly died from his injuries. Officers found a replica Glock 17 pistol with a detachable magazine. This replica pistol ultimately turned out to be an air pistol.’
Mayor Michael Galime said the incident “turned tragic in moments” and promised full transparency “to ensure the community can understand how they can be part of this process as each individual part unfolds.”
“I can’t put into words that this point can’t change what has changed forever since last night. Our condolences to the families, the community and all of Utica and the surrounding areas for what happened during this event,” he concluded.
Chief Constable Mark Williams presented the first details of the case, to cheers and shouts from the crowd
A crowd gathers outside City Hall for the press conference in Utica, NY on Saturday, June 29, 2024
“On June 28 at approximately 10:18 p.m., Utica officers assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit conducted a traffic stop on two men in the 900 block of Shaw Street in connection with a police investigation,” Chief Williams said at a news conference.
According to Police Chief Williams, the identities of the officers involved will be released “soon.”
After the investigation protocols are followed, the raw bodycam footage is released.
In the meantime, the prosecutor has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to CNY Central.
A dual investigation is underway: the Public Prosecutor’s Office will determine whether to file criminal charges, while the UPD’s Professional Standards Department will handle the administrative aspects.