Full Breakdown
One-Year-Old Killed in Police Shooting After Walmart Shoplifting Call in Senatobia, Mississippi
6/18/2026, 12:55:28 AM
Shooting Incident Overview
On Sunday, June 14, 2026, at about 2:05 p.m., Senatobia Police and Tate County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shoplifting call at a Walmart on U.S. 51 in Senatobia, Mississippi. Witnesses said two women left the store—one carrying diapers, the other holding 1-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley—before entering a silver sedan. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly drove toward them, nearly striking an officer. An officer fired at the car; the child was pronounced dead at a hospital, the adult passenger was critically injured, and no officers were hurt.
Official Statements & Responses
MBI’s news release described the encounter, the driver’s motion, the officer’s discharge, and the injuries. The Senatobia Police Department posted on Facebook that the case had been turned over to MBI and pledged “full transparency.” The Tate County Sheriff’s Office noted its deputies were responding to an unrelated incident and offered condolences. A Walmart spokesperson said the company was “saddened by what took place” and is cooperating with investigators.
Criticism & Opposition
The family says no shoplifting occurred. Great-grandmother Carolyn Stokes complained, “Senatobia Police Department get away with too much stuff… it’s just too much.” Grandfather Carlos Haynes said, “Someone ended it all before it could even start.” Grandmother Lasandra Williams added, “I’m more angry, because the situation that took place really was unnecessary, from what I’m hearing of what happened.” An early report misidentified a bullet-hole location; a correction later clarified it was in the passenger side of the windshield. The MBI has not disclosed whether the child sustained gunshot wounds, and no body-camera footage has been released. Advocate Marquell Bridges is urging release of body-camera and store video.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Law enforcement officers responded to a shoplifting call at Walmart on U.S. 51. Upon arrival, officers encountered two subjects and a juvenile child fleeing from the store into a vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one,” — Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
- “She was skipping and playing with her child kohen to the car moments earlier not fleeing a theft,” — Marquell Bridges, community advocate.
- “Someone ended it all before it could even start,” — Carlos Haynes, grandfather.
- “Policeman shot, opened fire in a public setting, over allegedly some Pampers,” — Licole Wiley, grandmother.
What's Next
The MBI will finish its investigation and forward findings to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. The family and local groups plan a protest at Senatobia City Hall on June 16 and continue to request release of body-camera and store video.
