Officer on Leave After Fatal Shooting in Mississippi

A Mississippi police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a toddler has been placed on administrative leave. The incident occurred during a response to a shoplifting call, officials confirmed late Tuesday.

The tragic event unfolded outside a Walmart in Senatobia on Sunday. According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, one-year-old Kohen Wiley was in a vehicle with his mother and another woman when police attempted to stop them. The driver, reportedly trying to flee, nearly hit an officer, prompting the officer to fire at the vehicle.

The car drove away from the scene but later arrived at a hospital where young Kohen was declared dead. The officer involved has not been publicly named and is on leave, following standard procedure for such cases.

The city of Senatobia announced on Facebook: “At the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting tonight, it was discussed and decided that the officer involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave.”

Protests have erupted in response, with demonstrators gathering outside the same Walmart. Law enforcement utilized tear gas to disperse the crowd on Tuesday night, reports Action News 5.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Wiley family, expressed via a statement on X: “A one-year-old child is dead after police discharged their firearms at a vehicle in a crowded Walmart parking lot. His mother, who remains uncharged, attempted to convey the presence of a baby in the car. Despite this, officers fired, resulting in the tragic death.” He added, “We intend to seek justice for Kohen and the life taken from him.”

The Senatobia Police Department stated on Sunday, “We are committed to full transparency. As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible.”

This is a developing story with updates forthcoming.