The tragic death of a one-year-old boy in northern Mississippi has left a community reeling after a police officer opened fire on a vehicle during a shoplifting incident. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday evening, resulted in the fatal injury of Kohen Wiley and serious harm to his mother's friend.
Kohen was inside the car with his mother and her friend when Senatobia police were called to a Walmart store following a report of shoplifting. According to Marquell Bridges, a community advocate assisting the family, the vehicle had just left the store when the events transpired.
As officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly accelerated towards them, narrowly missing one of the officers. In response, an officer discharged their weapon at the car, which then drove off, leaving the scene with two injured women on board. Kohen Wiley was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital.
Carlos Haynes, Kohen’s grandfather, spoke out about his loss, describing his grandson as a happy baby whose life had been cut short far too soon. He expressed sadness and shock at the events that unfolded, saying he looked forward to watching Kohen grow up. The Senatobia Police Department has yet to publicly comment on the specifics of the incident, stating that more information would be shared as the investigation progresses.
Walmart has confirmed it is cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation into the shoplifting incident and the subsequent police response, expressing sadness at the tragic outcome. Senatobia is located approximately 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is leading the inquiry into the shooting, which will aim to establish the circumstances surrounding the officer's decision to fire their weapon. The Tate County Sheriff's Office was also present at the scene but has declined to comment.