Mississippi AG clears officer in fatal shooting of infant Kohen Wiley as video evidence emerges

Key points

• Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced no charges would be filed against Sgt. Hunter Foster for the June 14, 2026, shooting of Kohen Wiley in Senatobia.
• The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation determined the use of force was justified after the driver allegedly nearly struck an officer.
• Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released an independent autopsy suggesting the child was shot from the side, contradicting the official narrative that the car was driving toward police.
• Neither Vellesiya Wiley, the child’s mother, nor Latoya Ferrell, the driver, have been charged with shoplifting, and officials have not released evidence supporting the initial theft allegation.
• Body camera and surveillance footage posted by Darkhorse Press show five officers rushing out of a Walmart and surrounding the vehicle before shots were fired.

Background

This incident is part of a broader pattern of controversy surrounding the Senatobia police department. In 2023, the town made national news after an officer arrested a 10-year-old Black boy for urinating in public. In September 2026, the city fired its police chief, Harold Vanderford, who was serving during the Wiley shooting, following allegations that he used racial slurs. The town is approximately 40% Black, and the new chief, Angelica Maze, is Black.

How outlets are covering it

The Mississippi Attorney General’s office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation maintain that the officer’s actions were justified, citing the driver’s movement toward police as the trigger for the shooting. In contrast, the Wiley family and attorney Ben Crump argue the official account is false, pointing to an independent autopsy that indicates the child was shot from the side rather than the front. Crump emphasizes that the family has not been allowed to view the official body camera footage, which remains withheld by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The Guardian highlights the racial dynamics, noting that the officer is white while the victims are Black, and links the incident to previous misconduct by the department.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding police accountability and the transparency of investigations into fatal shootings involving children. The release of video footage by a third party, rather than official channels, raises questions about the integrity of the investigative process and the public’s right to access evidence in high-profile cases.

What to watch

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety plans to officially release the video footage at the end of the week after the family has viewed it. The Wiley family and their legal team intend to continue advocating for transparency and accountability, potentially pursuing further legal or public pressure to ensure the truth of the incident is established.