Since the police officer shooting of 13-year-old Nyah Mway last Friday, there has been mourning, protests, officers placed on paid administrative leave and the start of an investigation. Now, the city of Utica finds itself in the spotlight for what's become a national story.

City Mayor Michael Galime, who took office this year, and other city leaders find themselves in a difficult situation to navigate.

According to authorities, city police stopped two juveniles after 10 p.m. during an investigation, and one fled. Officers said he appeared to point a handgun at them. Police shot the boy, identified as Mway. The gun in his possession turned out to be a pellet gun that looked like a Glock.

"It’s anger and grief right now, and that’s expected," Galime said. 

The area's Karan community is in outrage after the young teen was shot and killed by a Utica police officer.

Galime says he understands the community’s frustrations.

"The Karan community is grieving for the first time like this after a situation that unfolded and they’re angry," Galime said. "That’s to be expected. They are distraught. That’s to be expected."

He was asked about what he saw in the bodycam footage from the incident.

"I saw officers performing a stop that was warranted and as the events escalated, the outcome that we know exists today," he said. "It’s terrible to see. It’s absolutely tragic. What I saw is the common denominator that I’ve been watching since January 1st, another deceased youth because a youth was carrying a gun."

Galime has constantly stated that the city is trying to be transparent, but community members have questioned how he has handled this situation and the events that transpired because of it.

"We have an event like this, which is unprecedented and within 12 hours, we do a press conference and state exactly how we will be releasing information," the mayor said. "And then when that press conference concludes, we do exactly what we said we were going to do. Anyone critiquing that is critiquing the fact that we’re meeting the demands of the people."

Asked if he had spoken to the family, Galime said he received notice from their lawyer to no longer contact them. With that being said, it’s still up in the air if Galime will attend Mway’s funeral on Saturday.