A 1-year-old boy was fatally shot by police in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Mississippi, on Sunday, June 14, during a response to a shoplifting call. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is handling the case.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The shooting occurred around 2:05 p.m. when Senatobia police responded to a shoplifting report at the Walmart. Officers encountered two individuals and a child fleeing the store and entering a vehicle. According to state investigators, the driver refused to stop and drove toward the officers, nearly striking one. An officer then fired at the vehicle, which left the scene and later arrived at a local hospital, where the child, identified as Kohen Wiley, was pronounced dead. Another person in the vehicle sustained critical injuries. No officers were injured.
Deeper Dive & Context
Community Reaction
Residents in Senatobia have expressed outrage and distrust toward the police department, citing a history of escalated interactions and unnecessary use of force. Breshari Faulkner, a local resident, claimed the shooting was the result of police recklessness, referencing her own encounter with officers in May 2025 over a handicapped parking space dispute. The incident was captured on body camera.
Official Statements
The Senatobia Police Department has stated that the MBI will process the case. The Tate County Sheriff's Office confirmed their officers were present at the store for an unrelated matter at the time of the shooting. The mother of the child, Vellesiya Wiley, released a video detailing her account, stating she was not involved in the shoplifting and was trying to show officers her child was in the car when shots were fired.
Investigation and Next Steps
The MBI is continuing to gather evidence and take statements. The officer involved remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The case has sparked demands for transparency and better police training in the community.