Mississippi AG rules fatal shooting of infant Kohen Wiley 'justified' despite disputed evidence

Key points

• Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office announced on Monday that the use of force by Sgt. Hunter Foster in the June 14 shooting of Kohen Wiley was justified.
• The shooting occurred in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Mississippi, after officers responded to a shoplifting call involving the child’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, and her friend, Latoya Ferrell.
• Neither woman has been charged with a crime, and officials have not released evidence supporting the shoplifting allegation.
• The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation claimed the driver moved toward officers, but an independent autopsy obtained by the family’s attorney suggests the child was shot from the side, contradicting the police account.
• Surveillance footage from the incident remains withheld from the public, though a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety confirmed it would be released to media via public records requests.

Background

The shooting is part of a series of incidents involving the Senatobia police force, which has faced criticism for racial bias. In September 2026, the city fired Police Chief Harold Vanderford after reports of racist slurs in text messages. Previously, in 2023, the town made national news after an officer arrested a 10-year-old boy for urinating in public. The town is approximately 40% Black, and trust between the police and Black residents has eroded due to these repeated controversies.

How outlets are covering it

The Mississippi Attorney General’s office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation maintain that the officer acted lawfully, citing claims that the vehicle drove toward police. In contrast, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, disputes this, pointing to an independent autopsy indicating the child was shot from the side. Crump and activists, including Marquell Bridges of the Building Bridges Coalition, have criticized the AG’s decision as a cover-up, demanding the release of video footage and further investigation into Sgt. Foster, who has faced prior complaints of misconduct and racial remarks. CNN and the Daily Memphian reported the AG’s ruling as a conclusion to the state’s investigation, while the Mississippi Free Press highlighted the ongoing lack of transparency regarding video evidence and the family’s continued demand for justice.

Why it matters

The ruling underscores ongoing tensions regarding police accountability and racial equity in Mississippi. The lack of charges against the women and the withholding of video evidence have fueled public distrust in local law enforcement, particularly in communities with significant Black populations. The case highlights the challenges families face in obtaining transparency and justice in fatal police shootings, especially when official narratives conflict with independent evidence.

What to watch

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has indicated that video surveillance footage will be released to media organizations through public records requests. The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, continues to push for a full investigation into Sgt. Hunter Foster, including the release of all available evidence. Public protests and advocacy efforts are expected to continue as the community demands accountability and transparency from law enforcement.