The cries of a grieving mother could be heard at Utica City Hall during a news conference Saturday morning detailing the shooting death of a 13-year-old member of the Karen community by an officer Friday night.
What started as rumblings turned into shouts from all sides as Utica Mayor Michael Galime, with the help of an interpreter, spoke to the 13-year-old boy’s mother and family.
Saturday’s press conference was originally intended for members of the press, but was opened to the general public due to the large number of people, according to the mayor.
“We called this press conference not only to explain and be completely transparent, but also to offer our condolences to the family and the community for their loss,” Galime said. “Last night, while a stop like the one that happened is routine, it became tragic in a matter of moments. We understand and we are here to be completely transparent and explain everything about the incident to the community and what the next process will be.”
Chronology of events
In handing over the press conference to the police chief, Williams attempted to provide a timeline of events.
According to Police Chief Mark Williams, Utica police officers were conducting a pedestrian stop of two juveniles around 10:18 p.m. Friday, June 28 in the 900 block of Shaw Street.
One of the minors, a man, fled from the police. Williams said that during the chase, the juvenile displayed “what appeared to be a handgun.”
During the press conference, as soon as the police chief said these words, the people present – more than 100 people packed into the city hall – began to scream. Anger seized the crowd, with shouts of “No!” and attempts to calm the crowd.
Williams added that the officer discharged his firearm once and struck the teen “…during a struggle on the ground.” The 13-year-old was taken to Wynn Hospital where he died of his injuries.
“Officers then recovered a replica GLOCK 17 pistol with a detachable magazine, but it turned out to be a pellet gun,” Williams said. “We will reveal the names of the police officers involved in the case in the very near future. We ask for your patience as the investigation continues. »
Shouts of outrage were heard from members of the crowd after learning that the three police officers involved in the incident had been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, with one member of the crowd commenting on how they were getting ” … paid vacation. “.
Galime told the crowd that he was committed to being as transparent as possible and that immediately after the press conference they were asking family and community representatives to speak with them.
Family present
After the translation, the mother of the 13-year-old boy began screaming and yelling in her native language. A community member translated, saying, “… She said she didn’t want to be in the same room with killers.”
The mother’s moans could be heard for a moment before the entire crowd covered the representatives.
Walking towards the crowd, Galimeo stood before the mother and spoke with her for a brief moment while the entire crowd demanded justice.
The public news conference ended early and moved to a private room upstairs at City Hall, where officials answered questions about the next step.
State Attorney’s Investigation
In police-involved shootings, New York State Executive Law 70b provides that the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations assumes the lead role in criminal investigation.
The Utica Police Department is conducting a joint parallel internal investigation with its Professional Standards Unit to determine whether policies, procedures and training were followed.
Additionally, UPD will work closely and openly with the City of Utica Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Over the next few days, police will release several media formats. Police also plan to release a critical incident report, a comprehensive overview of events.
Additionally, the UPD will release the full contents of the body cameras of the officers involved.
Other questions
After the public press conference, the mayor, police chief and public information officer Lt. Michael Curley held a private press conference for the media.
“Our police department conducts investigations day in and day out and they don’t end like this,” Galime said. “They don’t end like that. This situation is the result of events very specific to this situation. That’s why we only need to talk about what we can disclose and when it will be made public… And we’re not going to provide information that we’re not absolutely sure of. »
As it stands, Williams said the two minors were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation, but he could not comment on what the investigation was about until it was complete.
When asked about the deadly force used, Williams explained that at the time, there was no way of knowing the weapon in question was a pellet gun until officers got their hands on it.
“You don’t bring TASR to a shooting. When, in that moment, you perceive deadly physical force, you have to match it,” Williams said. “This matter will be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office and reviewed as part of the landmark case Graham v. Connor.”
Video on social networks
Police said they were aware of a video of the incident circulating on social media.
Authorities said they were not representing the incident in its entirety.
Utica Police are asking the public to obtain any information that becomes available as they investigate this incident.
Move forward
Galime said updates will be released as they become available.
Lead times for investigations like this can be long, according to Williams, and it will likely be several months before the attorney general’s office issues its findings.
Until then, Galime clearly indicated where the city was.
“This office and our police department will operate with the utmost efficiency and transparency,” Galime said. “After the press conference closed, the translator and I had a conversation with the mother, her friends and family. She is not only distraught, she is grieving as was shown below. And that is not only acceptable, it is expected.”
“What we need to do on this side is to ensure that in the future we continue to be as objective as possible and that every incident that requires investigation is dealt with objectively and to the letter of the law.”
News Source : www.uticaod.com
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