A one-year-old boy has tragically died after a police officer discharged their weapon during a response to an alleged shoplifting incident. The child, identified as Kohen Kartier Wiley, was a passenger in a vehicle that was fired upon by law enforcement.
Incident Details Emerge
The Senatobia Police Department stated that officers responded to a shoplifting call at a local Walmart. Upon arrival, they encountered individuals fleeing the store and entering a vehicle. According to a department statement, officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly proceeded in the direction of the officers, nearly striking one.
“An officer then discharged their weapon, and the vehicle fled the scene,” the statement read. “The subjects arrived at a local hospital, where one juvenile child in the vehicle was pronounced deceased, and another subject had critical injuries. No law enforcement officers received any serious physical injury.”
Witness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described seeing police officers positioned in the parking lot as two women exited the store. One woman was reportedly carrying a box of diapers, and the other was holding the young child.
One observer recounted seeing officers running on foot, not in pursuit of the vehicle. “Then I hear gunshots, and I’m like, I know they’re not shooting at a car that’s leaving in a public place, this is Walmart,” the witness stated, expressing disbelief at the use of lethal force in such a situation.
Family Reaction
Carolyn Stokes, the great-grandmother of the deceased child, voiced her concerns regarding the actions of the Senatobia Police Department. “Senatobia Police Department get away with too much stuff,” Stokes commented. “I hear about it all the time, it’s in the news all the time, y’all probably down here all the time, recording this stuff, but it’s just too much.”
Previous reports the area mentioned an incident last year where a woman was tasered and apprehended by officers after allegedly parking in a handicapped spot. The woman maintained she was dropping off her grandmother at the time.
Official Statement on Transparency
The Senatobia Police Department has issued a statement regarding the ongoing investigation. “We are committed to full transparency,” the department confirmed. “As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible.”
