In an outpouring of community support, thousands of dollars have been quickly gathered to assist the family of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, who tragically died in a police shooting in Mississippi over the weekend. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to cover the expenses related to the child’s funeral and other needs. By Friday afternoon, over $3,300 of a $5,000 goal had been raised.
Organizer Christopher Williams expressed gratitude on the fundraising page, stating, “This money will help the family tremendously. As we all know, burying your loved ones can be costly emotionally as well as monetarily. Although this won’t bring back their baby boy, this will help smooth the process and help them in their time of grief.”
Details of the Incident
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting that occurred as officers responded to a shoplifting call in Senatobia on Sunday. Officers encountered two individuals and a child as they fled into a vehicle and tried to stop the car. The driver allegedly drove toward the officers, nearly hitting one, prompting an officer to fire at the vehicle.
Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, recounted in a social media video that she was leaving Walmart with her son when a friend was stopped by police. She continued walking, believing she was not involved. Wiley said her friend entered the vehicle and reversed as police drew their weapons, causing her to lift her son to show they were in the car. She described how, after placing her son down, shots were fired, one hitting her son.
The family drove to the hospital, but Kohen was later pronounced dead. Kohen’s great-grandmother, Carolyn Stokes, criticized the officer’s actions, labeling them as impulsive and reckless. Stokes questioned the need for firing into a car over shoplifting allegations.
Continuing Investigation
Authorities informed Newsweek that bodycam footage from the incident might be made public in the coming months. Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin mentioned that the case is a priority, though they cannot specify a timeline for the investigation, which they typically complete within 6–9 months.
Attorney Van Turner, representing Kohen’s family, told Newsweek that the footage would demonstrate the lack of threat and excessive force used by the officer. Turner stressed the demand for transparency.
The Senatobia Police Department reiterated its commitment to transparency. The officer involved has been placed on leave.
Community Response and Tensions
Marquell Bridges, president and founder of the advocacy group Building Bridges Coalition, highlighted Kohen’s death as a catalyst in ongoing issues between Black residents and police in Senatobia. He noted a history of racism and police misconduct in the area. He mentioned a previous incident involving police and Breshari Faulkner over a parking spot and the firing of an officer involved in the arrest of a 10-year-old Black boy.
Advocates see Kohen’s death as another senseless loss over a minor alleged theft, with Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., expressing that such policing values items over human life.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell asked for patience during this tragic situation, promising a thorough investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Tindell assured the public of an independent investigation with active efforts to compile evidence for the Attorney General’s review.