Controversy Surrounds Police Shooting of 1-Year-Old Kohen Wiley

A lawyer for Kohen Wiley’s family is demanding the release of body-worn camera footage after a fatal shooting involving a police officer. The incident occurred when an officer fired into a vehicle during a shoplifting response, resulting in the death of the 1-year-old boy. Mississippi’s Attorney General Lynn Fitch recently stated the shooting was justified and decided not to press criminal charges against the officer involved.

The Attorney General’s office released a brief statement confirming their review concluded the officer’s use of force was justified. This announcement drew attention after protests in Senatobia, Mississippi, where the shooting took place. This event followed other incidents involving police and Black community members, leading to heightened tensions and demands for justice.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump represents Kohen’s family. He questions the justification without public access to the video evidence. “How can anyone accept that conclusion when Kohen’s family and the public still have not been allowed to see the body-camera footage?” Crump asked on social media.

Crump highlights the background of the Senatobia police department, noting the recent firing of Police Chief Harold Vanderford due to his racial slurs in text messages. He also points out a complaint against the officer involved, alleging a racially offensive remark days before the shooting.

Crump insists on the release of the video, arguing for transparency and truth. An independent autopsy suggests the fatal shot came from the vehicle’s passenger-side window, challenging the officers’ statements that the car advanced toward them.

Martin Zummach, the attorney for the officer who shot Kohen, stated the Attorney General’s findings exonerated his client. He contends the vehicle’s driver endangered officers, leaving no alternative but to fire.

The incident unfolded on June 14. Officers, responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart, observed Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, and a friend, whom they suspected of theft. Vellesiya insists neither individual stole anything. No charges have been filed against Wiley or her friend.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reported that as officers tried to stop the vehicle, it moved toward them, narrowly missing one officer. They claimed this prompted the officer to fire as the car sped off. Wiley, however, stated she attempted to show officers her child in the car when shots rang out, injuring her son and her friend.

Currently, authorities have not released any footage, including body and CCTV footage from the Walmart parking lot. Officials previously indicated footage would only be accessible after the investigation concludes.

Sean Tindell, Mississippi’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner, reiterated that release of such evidence would follow the completion of the State’s investigation. Requests for body camera footage need to be filed through a public records process as part of standard procedure.