Utica, New York – In a tragic incident, law enforcement officers in upstate New York were involved in a fatal shooting of a 13-year-old teen following a chase. The Utica Police Department reported that the teen displayed what appeared to be a handgun during the encounter. The events unfolded on Friday night in Utica, a city located about an hour’s drive from Syracuse with a population of 65,283 residents.

During the police stop of two teenagers, one of them fled on foot prompting a pursuit. As the teen ran, officers noticed what seemed to be a handgun pointed in their direction. In response, one of the officers fired his weapon, striking the Asian male teen. Despite receiving immediate medical attention at the scene and being transported to Wynn Hospital, the teen succumbed to his injuries, as stated by Utica Police Chief Mark Williams during a press conference the following morning.

Following the shooting, authorities discovered that the handgun in question was actually a replica Glock pistol with a detachable magazine. The identity of the deceased teen has not been released, nor has the name of the officer involved in the shooting pending notification of next of kin. At the press conference, an interpreter was present to assist the family and community members in understanding the information provided.

Utica, as a city that has resettled numerous refugees in recent years, has become home to diverse immigrant communities, including Asian refugees from various backgrounds such as Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Cambodian descent. The city’s demographic makeup reflects a significant foreign-born population, with approximately 19 percent of residents being immigrants, according to the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees.

Amidst the ongoing investigation into the tragic incident, Utica City School District’s interim superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Davis, expressed condolences to the family of the student and emphasized the challenges faced by the community and law enforcement in ensuring public safety. Authorities are reviewing a video related to the incident that has circulated online, cautioning that it may not fully depict the events leading up to the shooting.

As the investigation continues, the police department has assured the public that relevant materials, including a critical incident briefing and full bodycam footage, will be released in the coming days. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, pending further developments in the case. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks faced by both law enforcement and the communities they serve.

This evolving story warrants further attention as details unfold in the coming days.