Key facts
- A 1-year-old child, Kohen Wiley, was killed when police fired into a moving vehicle at a Walmart in Senatobia, Mississippi.
- The incident occurred on June 14 after police responded to a shoplifting call.
The family of a 1-year-old killed by police in Mississippi is demanding the release of video footage to determine if officers were in danger when they fired into a moving vehicle. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family.
The shooting of an infant by police has ignited outrage and raised serious questions about police conduct and accountability, particularly within the context of past troubling encounters between law enforcement and Black residents in the area. The family's demand for video release highlights a broader public interest in transparency and justice in police-involved incidents.
The family of a 1-year-old boy killed by police in Mississippi is demanding the release of video footage to clarify the circumstances of the shooting. Kohen Wiley was killed on June 14 when officers fired into a vehicle at a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Mississippi, after responding to a shoplifting call. The family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, asserts the vehicle was driving away, while police maintain it was heading toward officers, nearly striking one. "I watched my baby take his first breath, and I watched my baby take his last breath," said Kohen's mother, Vellesiya Wiley, at a news conference. Crump stated that releasing body camera, dash camera, and security footage is the best way to determine if the officers were in danger. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is investigating the incident and has stated that multiple agents are working to thoroughly examine every aspect. The MBI previously reported that officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver drove in its direction, leading an officer to discharge their weapon before the vehicle fled. Kohen's mother also stated the shoplifting call involved a box of diapers that her friend may have already paid for. Crump questioned the police response, asking why officers did not let the car go and record its license plate number. An independent autopsy is planned to provide further details on the shooting angles. Policing expert Ian Adams commented that shooting into a moving vehicle is generally a dangerous tactic to be avoided.