A Mississippi police shooting at a Walmart parking lot has left a 1-year-old child dead and a family demanding answers as state investigators review what happened during a shoplifting response.
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in Senatobia, about 40 miles south of Memphis in Tennessee. According to civil rights attorney Ben Crump, 1-year-old Kohen Wiley was in a vehicle with his mother and a family friend when police opened fire. The friend was critically injured, while the child later died from his injuries.
Crump said the child’s mother has not been charged with any crime and was trying to tell officers that a baby was inside the car before shots were fired. He said the family believes the use of force was unnecessary and has called for accountability as the investigation continues.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry into the Mississippi police shooting. In its initial statement, the agency said officers responded to a shoplifting call at the Walmart and encountered two individuals and a child entering a vehicle. Officials said officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it moved in a direction that nearly struck an officer, leading one officer to fire a weapon at the car.
After the shooting, the vehicle was driven to a nearby hospital, where the child was pronounced dead. No officers were seriously injured during the incident, according to the state agency.
Local law enforcement agencies have said they are cooperating with the investigation. Senatobia police stated that they are committed to transparency but said more details will be released once facts are confirmed. The Tate County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies were also present in the area but were initially responding to a separate call before assisting.
Community advocate Marquell Bridges, who is supporting the family, has disputed the claim that the mother was involved in any theft. He said she was simply leaving the store while playing with her child moments before the shooting and was not connected to any criminal activity.
The child’s grandfather, Carlos Haynes, described Kohen as a happy baby whose life ended suddenly and tragically. He said the family is struggling to understand how the situation escalated so quickly.
State officials have said body camera footage and other evidence will not be released until the investigation is complete and reviewed by the attorney general’s office. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said the process involves multiple investigators and that releasing information too early could affect witness statements.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid speculation while the inquiry is ongoing. The city of Senatobia also issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and support for first responders. It urged residents to remain patient as the facts are established.
Walmart confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement and expressed sadness over the incident at its store. The company did not provide further details.
The Mississippi police shooting has drawn national attention, with civil rights advocates calling for a full release of video evidence, including body camera and surveillance footage. The case remains under active investigation, and officials have not yet indicated whether any charges will be filed.
