A Mississippi police officer involved in the shooting of one-year-old Kohen Wiley has been placed on administrative leave. This action follows an incident linked to a shoplifting call outside a Walmart in Senatobia on Sunday.
Incident Details
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reported the shooting took place as Wiley was in a vehicle with his mother and her friend. After leaving the store, the driver allegedly drove towards the police, nearly hitting an officer. In response, an officer shot at the vehicle, which then drove away. Subsequently, the two women transported Kohen to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Response and Investigation
The officer who fired has not been publicly named. However, placing officers on administrative leave is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The decision was confirmed during a meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night, as announced by the city of Senatobia through a Facebook statement.
Public Reaction
Protests reemerged outside the Walmart on Tuesday night. In response, law enforcement used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, reported Action News 5.
Legal Actions and Statements
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Wiley family, expressed outrage on social media. He emphasized the mother’s claim that she attempted to communicate the presence of a baby in the car before police fired. Crump has vowed to seek justice for the child’s death.
The Senatobia Police Department assured the public of their commitment to transparency. They promised to release verified facts as the investigation unfolds.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.