Senatobia fires police chief over racist texts amid probe into toddler’s death

Senatobia, Mississippi, fired Police Chief Harold Vanderford after investigators found he regularly used racist slurs in text messages; the board rejected his resignation and appointed interim Chief Angelica Maze. The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the department connected to the 2023 Walmart shooting that killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, with state investigators not yet providing updates and civil-rights attorney Ben Crump pressing for the release of footage and a timely, transparent accounting for Wiley’s family. Lawmakers are also urging state leaders to take action and improve communication as the investigation continues.