In a rapid show of support, thousands of dollars have been contributed to assist the family of Kohen Wiley, a 1-year-old who was tragically shot by a police officer in Mississippi. The funds, raised through a GoFundMe campaign, aim to cover funeral expenses and other costs in the wake of his death. As of Friday afternoon, over $3,300 had been collected towards the $5,000 target.
“This money will help the family tremendously,” organizer Christopher Williams emphasized on the GoFundMe page. “While it won’t bring back their baby boy, it will aid in smoothing the process and supporting them in their grief.”
Incident Details
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting. Officers were responding to a shoplifting report on Sunday in Senatobia. They encountered two adults and a child fleeing into a vehicle. According to the Bureau, when police attempted to stop the car, the driver moved toward officers, and one officer fired at the vehicle.
Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, shared her account on social media. She described leaving Walmart with her son when police stopped her friend. “I kept walking because it had nothing to do with me,” she noted. Her friend got into a vehicle and began reversing. Wiley said she held up her son to show the officers he was in the car. “By the time I sat my baby back down, it was like three or four shots,” Wiley said. Tragically, one shot struck Kohen in the ribcage, resulting in his death.
Kohen’s great-grandmother, Carolyn Stokes, criticized the officer’s actions. “It was reckless,” she commented. “Why draw your weapon on potential shoplifters?” She questioned why the officer didn’t handle the situation differently given the minor nature of the alleged offense.
Investigation and Accountability
Authorities have prioritized this case. Police bodycam footage might become public within months. Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin stated the case demands thorough investigation, with an expected completion within 6-9 months. Findings will go to the Attorney General’s Office afterward.
Van Turner, the family’s attorney, asserted that the footage would clear Kohen’s mother and her friend. “The vehicle was not a threat,” Turner explained to Newsweek, demanding transparency from the authorities.
The Senatobia Police Department has stated its commitment to transparency, placing the involved officer on leave.
Community Tensions
The incident has fueled tensions in Senatobia. Marquell Bridges from the Building Bridges Coalition, an advocacy group supporting the family, noted this event highlights longstanding issues between Black residents and local police.
Bridges recounted a previous incident where an officer threatened a Black resident with a taser in a parking lot. In 2023, another officer was fired after unjustly arresting a 10-year-old Black boy. The boy’s family settled a lawsuit with the city.
Activists expressed concerns over prioritizing property over life. Bernice King highlighted this perspective, criticizing the value placed on items over individuals.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell called on the community for patience as the investigation progresses. “Make no mistake, this is a very tragic situation,” Tindell remarked, reassuring that a thorough and independent investigation is underway.
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