Family of 1-year-old boy fatally shot by Mississippi police say goodbye, as questions remain

Key Points:

• One-year-old Kohen Wiley was fatally shot by police in Senatobia, Mississippi, on June 14 while officers responded to a shoplifting call at a Walmart; the incident involved police firing after a vehicle allegedly nearly struck an officer as two adults and the child fled the store.
• Kohen’s family and civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump and Van Turner, have condemned the shooting as unjustified and are calling for justice, emphasizing that the child’s life was taken over stolen diapers, and demanding the release of body camera footage.
• The community gathered for Kohen’s funeral service in Pope, Mississippi, where mourners honored his memory with tributes including a stuffed Bluey toy and floral arrangements, while expressing grief and calls for accountability.
• The shooting has intensified local concerns about strained relations between the Senatobia police department and residents, with some community members citing a history of overpolicing and calling for changes in leadership.
• Authorities have not yet identified the officer who fired the shots, who has been placed on leave, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is continuing its inquiry before releasing any official footage or further details.