Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that followed a reported shoplifting call outside a Walmart.
SENATOBIA, Miss. — A 1-year-old boy died after police officers fired at a vehicle while responding to a reported shoplifting incident outside a Walmart on June 14, prompting a state investigation and renewed questions about the use of force during encounters involving fleeing suspects.
The child, identified by family members as Kohen Wiley, was taken to a nearby hospital after the shooting and was pronounced dead. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said officers from the Senatobia Police Department and deputies from the Tate County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the incident. Investigators are now examining the circumstances that led an officer to fire at the vehicle, including claims that the driver moved toward officers during an attempted stop.
According to state authorities, the encounter began after police received a report of shoplifting at a Walmart in Senatobia on Sunday. Officers arrived and located two adults and a juvenile who were allegedly leaving the area in a vehicle. The Department of Public Safety said officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly drove in the direction of officers and nearly struck one of them. During that encounter, an officer fired a shot. The vehicle then left the scene and traveled to a nearby hospital. There, medical personnel determined that Kohen had suffered a fatal injury. State officials have not publicly released detailed information about where the child was seated in the vehicle, how many shots were fired, or which agency employed the officer who discharged the weapon.
Witness accounts have added details to the timeline but have also highlighted questions that remain unresolved. One witness told local media that officers appeared to be waiting in the parking lot when two women exited the store. According to the witness, one woman was carrying the child while another carried a box of diapers. Another witness said officers ran through the parking lot as the vehicle attempted to leave. Authorities have not publicly confirmed all aspects of those accounts. Investigators have also not released body-camera footage, surveillance video, or forensic findings that could clarify the sequence of events. Officials have not announced whether any suspects face criminal charges related to the alleged shoplifting report or the vehicle’s movements before the shooting.
The death has drawn significant attention because it occurred during a response to a reported property crime rather than a violent offense. Cases involving police shootings into moving vehicles have long been among the most closely scrutinized incidents in law enforcement, particularly when children or other passengers are present. Civil rights advocates, legal analysts and police organizations have frequently debated when officers should use deadly force against drivers whose vehicles may pose a threat. In this case, state investigators have emphasized that the inquiry remains active and that conclusions have not yet been reached. The circumstances surrounding the driver’s actions, the officer’s perception of danger and the child’s position inside the vehicle are all expected to be key elements of the investigation.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has taken the lead in examining the shooting. Such investigations typically include witness interviews, reviews of video evidence, forensic analysis and reports from the officers involved. Authorities have not announced a timeline for releasing findings. It is also unclear whether the officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, a common procedure after officer-involved shootings in many jurisdictions. Depending on the evidence collected, investigators could submit findings to prosecutors for review. Officials have not announced any scheduled hearings or charging decisions. Family members and community members have called for a full accounting of what occurred and have sought additional information from law enforcement agencies involved in the response.
As news of Kohen’s death spread, relatives and residents expressed grief and disbelief. A fundraising campaign was created to help the family cover funeral expenses and other costs associated with the loss. LiCole Wiley, a relative of the child, said the tragedy could have been handled differently. The comments reflected a broader sense of anguish among those struggling to understand how a police response to a reported shoplifting incident ended with the death of a toddler. Community members have shared condolences online and gathered to support the family. While emotions remain high, officials have urged patience as investigators collect evidence and determine exactly what happened during the encounter outside the store.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released final conclusions about the shooting. The next major milestone is expected to be the public release of investigative findings, including additional details about the officers’ actions, the vehicle’s movements and the circumstances that led to Kohen Wiley’s death.