Calls for Answers Grow After Mississippi Toddler Is F*tally Shot During P0lice Encounter at Walmart
Calls for Answers Grow After Mississippi Toddler Is Fatally Shot During Police Encounter at Walmart
Relatives of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley are asking investigators to publicly release video evidence after the child was killed when officers fired into a moving vehicle during a police encounter outside a Walmart in Senatobia, Mississippi.
The tragedy has ignited protests and renewed scrutiny of policing practices in the community.
Police and Family Offer Conflicting Accounts
Investigators say officers responded to a shoplifting complaint and attempted to stop a vehicle carrying two women and the toddler.
Authorities allege the car moved toward officers, prompting one of them to open fire before the vehicle drove away.
Family members, however, say they were attempting to leave and dispute the suggestion that officers were in immediate danger.
Ben Crump Calls for Release of Camera Footage
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Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined the family in demanding that authorities release any body camera, dashboard camera and surveillance recordings connected to the shooting.
He argued that such footage could provide a clearer understanding of what happened and help determine whether the use of force was justified.
“The longer you delay releasing the video, the more distrustful we become,” Crump said.
Mother Says Incident Began Over Diapers
Kohen’s mother has said the original call involved a box of diapers being carried by her friend and believes the item had been paid for.
Crump questioned why officers did not choose less dangerous alternatives and noted that a family is now mourning the loss of a child.
Another woman in the vehicle remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
State Investigation Continues
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The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has labeled the case a top priority and says multiple agents are working on the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the family plans to seek an independent autopsy as they continue pressing for answers and the release of any video evidence that may exist.
Sources
The Associated Press
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation
University of South Carolina criminal justice expert Ian Adams
Statements from Ben Crump and the Wiley family