The great-grandmother of a 1-year-old boy who was fatally shot by a police officer is criticizing what she calls “reckless” gunfire. Carolyn Stokes, 72, spoke out after the tragic incident on Sunday in Senatobia, Mississippi, where her great-grandson, Kohen Wiley, lost his life. Stokes expressed her belief that divine justice would prevail for her family.
Stokes questioned the actions of the officer involved in the shooting. “It was reckless, it was unnecessary to be firing into a car,” she told Newsweek. She was concerned about why the officer targeted individuals fleeing a Walmart for shoplifting. Stokes suggested that those involved might have been in a hurry, and not necessarily guilty of theft.
“I might as well say he had killing on his mind.” — Carolyn Stokes
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation continues. Stokes described the officer’s actions as impulsive and reckless. She remains hopeful that the truth will come to light through both legal means and divine intervention.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reported that officers encountered “two subjects and a juvenile” fleeing from a Walmart to a vehicle. The police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver moved towards the officers, nearly hitting one. This led an officer to fire their weapon. The vehicle then fled and later arrived at a local hospital, where Kohen was pronounced dead, and another occupant, a friend of Kohen’s mother, suffered critical injuries.
Local advocate Marquell Bridges, from the Building Bridges Coalition, emphasized that Kohen’s mother committed no crime. “Kohen’s mother did not steal anything,” Bridges wrote on Facebook. He noted that she was playing with Kohen moments before the incident, not escaping a theft.
Kohen’s grandfather, Carlos Haynes, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. He lamented the premature end to his grandson’s life, sharing his pain with the Associated Press. Despite requests for more details, Bailey Martin from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that further information is not available at this time.
Senatobia police assured the public they are conducting a thorough investigation. “We are committed to full transparency,” they stated, promising to provide updates as the investigation unfolds.
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