Full Breakdown
Shooting of 1-Year-Old Kohen Wiley Outside Senatobia Walmart
6/23/2026, 5:09:31 AM
Incident Overview
On June 14, 2026, Senatobia police responded to a shoplifting call at a Walmart parking lot. Officers found two women and a one-year-old child, Kohen Wiley, entering a vehicle. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) says the driver steered toward the officers, nearly striking one, after which an officer fired and the vehicle fled. Kohen Wiley died; the adult passenger was critically injured. The officer was placed on administrative leave.
Key Figures & Timeline
The family includes mother Vellesiya Wiley and an unnamed adult passenger. Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump represents them. State officials are MBI spokesperson Bailey Martin, Public-Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, and Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford. Walmart issued a safety statement. Timeline: June 14 – shooting; June 16 – Tindell’s briefing; June 22 – Crump’s press conference demanding video and an independent autopsy; July 1 – expected autopsy results.
Official Statements & Responses
The MBI’s initial statement said officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver “drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one,” prompting an officer to fire. Spokesperson Bailey Martin called the case a “top priority.” Commissioner Tindell called it “a very tragic situation” and pledged an independent investigation, noting body-camera footage will be released after the inquiry. The Senatobia Police Department, via Facebook, affirmed its commitment to transparency while confirming officers discharged firearms. A Walmart spokesperson stressed safety and cooperation with investigators.
Criticism & Opposition
Ben Crump labeled the decision to fire into the moving vehicle “unreasonable policing,” demanded immediate release of body-camera, dash-camera, and Walmart surveillance footage, and called for an independent autopsy to verify wound trajectories. Community members organized protests outside the Walmart, citing broader concerns about police interactions with Black residents.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The family says the vehicle was driving away from officers; police say it was moving toward them. The exact number of shots fired and the officer’s position relative to the car have not been disclosed. No video evidence has been released, and departmental policies on shooting at moving vehicles remain unknown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I watched my baby take his first breath, and I watched my baby take his last breath,” — Vellesiya Wiley, Mother
- “If that is the truth, then show us that,” — Ben Crump, Civil-rights Attorney
- “The longer you delay releasing the video, the more distrustful we become.” — Ben Crump
- “You cannot put those two things next to each other and call it reasonable policing.” — Ben Crump
- “To make no mistake, this is a very tragic situation,” — Sean Tindell, Public-Safety Commissioner
What’s Next
The independent autopsy is slated for preliminary results by July 1. The MBI continues its investigation, and the officer remains on administrative leave pending review. Authorities have indicated that body-camera and surveillance footage will be released after the investigative phase concludes.
