The fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy who allegedly pointed a replica handgun during an encounter with officers Friday night in Utica, New York, is under investigation, police said.
The incident began around 10:18 p.m. when the officers who were part of the police’s Crime Prevention Unit conducted a stop of two people as part of an undisclosed police investigation, the Utica Police Department said.
During the stop, the 13-year-old allegedly fled from officers who chased him, according to the police. The unidentified boy allegedly pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers, which prompted one of the officers to fire one shot at the teen, according to investigators.
In this screen grab taken from Google Maps Street View, the Utical Police Department headquarters is shown in Utica, New York.
Google Maps Street View
The boy was transported to Wynn Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds, police said. Investigators uncovered “a replica GLOCK 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine” following the shooting, investigators said.
Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told reporters Saturday morning the replica firearm appeared to be a pellet gun.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased juvenile, as well as our officers involved in this incident,” the Utica Police Department said in a statement.
The press conference held by the chief and Mayor Michael P. Galime was disrupted multiple times by members of the public shouting at them.
Williams said the officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave as the New York Attorney General’s Office conducts its investigation into the incident. The Utica Police Department will also be conducting its own investigation into the shooting.
“Additionally, we will work closely and openly with the City of Utica Public Safety Advisory Committee. We value their mission and want to ensure through multiple facets the community is fully informed of the facts of this incident,” the police said in a statement.
Williams did not reveal the identities of the officers or the victim but said police would be releasing more information and details to the public in the coming days including the body camera footage from the incident.
An investigation is currently underway into the recent police shooting of a teenager who was reportedly carrying a replica gun. The incident, which took place in a residential neighborhood, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from the community.
According to initial reports, the teenager was seen brandishing what appeared to be a firearm in a public area. Concerned citizens called the police, who arrived on the scene and confronted the teenager. In the ensuing confrontation, the teenager was shot by an officer who believed the replica gun to be real.
The shooting has raised questions about police training and use of force policies, particularly when it comes to dealing with individuals who may be carrying replica weapons. Many are questioning whether the use of lethal force was necessary in this situation, and whether de-escalation tactics could have been employed instead.
In response to the incident, the police department has launched an internal investigation to determine whether the officer’s actions were justified. The investigation will look into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether the teenager posed an immediate threat to officers or others in the vicinity.
Community leaders are calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation, urging authorities to release any relevant body camera footage or other evidence that sheds light on what happened. They are also calling for a thorough review of police training and protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The shooting of the teenager carrying a replica gun serves as a tragic reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. It highlights the need for improved communication, de-escalation tactics, and accountability in police interactions with civilians, particularly in situations where individuals may be carrying imitation weapons.
As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial that all parties involved remain committed to seeking justice and transparency. Only through a thorough and impartial review of the facts can we hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
