Senatobia, MS – The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is investigating the fatal shooting of one-year-old Kohen Wiley after police responded to a shoplifting report at a Walmart store on June 23. According to reports, officers were called when a suspect was allegedly caught stealing diapers. During their response, an officer shot into the vehicle where Vellesiya Wiley and her child were passengers.
The family's attorney, Benjamin Crump, has expressed outrage over the incident: "They were called for something as trivial as a box of diapers, yet now we have to mourn the loss of a baby." The MBI stated that they are gathering evidence from security footage at Walmart and body camera videos worn by officers involved. However, civil rights attorney Van Turner urged immediate release of the video evidence, arguing it would provide clarity on whether the officer's life was in danger.
Vellesiya Wiley maintains that her car did not move toward police when shots were fired; she also claims to have held up Kohen so officers could see there was a baby inside. The driver of the vehicle sustained critical injuries but is expected to survive, while Vellesiya herself has not been charged with shoplifting.
The officer responsible for firing the fatal shot has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation by MBI. Family members are seeking an independent autopsy and calling for justice in this tragic case.
As details continue to emerge, local communities have rallied around Kohen's family, demanding transparency from law enforcement regarding use-of-force policies and accountability measures during such incidents.