Mississippi AG clears officer in fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley

Key points

• Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced on October 19 that the use of force by Senatobia police officer Hunter Foster was justified in the death of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley.
• The shooting occurred on June 14, 2026, in a Walmart parking lot in Senatobia, Mississippi, while officers responded to a shoplifting call involving diapers and baby clothes.
• The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation stated that the vehicle drove toward officers, prompting Foster to fire, which killed Kohen and wounded his mother’s friend, Latoya Ferrell.
• Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, released a preliminary autopsy report indicating the bullet entered from the side of the car, contradicting the police claim that the vehicle was heading toward them.
• Vellesiya Wiley, Kohen’s mother, stated in a video that she was trying to show officers the child was in the car and denied stealing any items; neither she nor Ferrell has been charged with a crime.
• The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has not released body-cam or overhead surveillance footage of the incident, though it confirmed footage will be provided to media via public records requests.

Background

This ruling concludes a months-long investigation into the death of Kohen Wiley, a case that has intensified tensions between the Senatobia police department and the local Black community. Prior incidents, including the firing of Police Chief Harold Vanderford for alleged racist conduct and previous misconduct complaints against Officer Hunter Foster, have eroded trust in the department. The case is part of a broader national conversation regarding police use of force and racial disparities in law enforcement, with the family’s legal team, led by Ben Crump, actively challenging the state’s findings through independent evidence.

How outlets are covering it

The Mississippi Attorney General’s office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation maintain that the shooting was justified, citing the officer’s report that the vehicle drove toward them, posing a threat. In contrast, the Wiley family and their attorney, Ben Crump, argue the shooting was unjustified, pointing to a preliminary autopsy showing the bullet entered from the side and video evidence suggesting the car was not moving toward officers. The Mississippi Free Press highlights the lack of released surveillance footage and notes that neither the mother nor her friend has been charged, while activists like Marquell Bridges have condemned the AG’s decision as a cover-up. NBC News and CNN report the AG’s statement neutrally but note the family’s dispute and the absence of charges against the women. The Daily Memphian focuses on the legal clearance of the officer without detailing the family’s counter-arguments.

Why it matters

The ruling sets a precedent for how Mississippi authorities evaluate police use of force in cases involving Black victims, potentially influencing future investigations. The withholding of surveillance footage and the lack of charges against the suspects raise questions about transparency and accountability in law enforcement. The case underscores ongoing tensions between communities and police departments, particularly in small towns with histories of racial misconduct, and may impact public trust in local law enforcement and the state’s justice system.

What to watch

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is expected to release surveillance footage to media organizations via public records requests. The Wiley family may pursue civil litigation or further legal challenges to the AG’s decision. Activists and community groups in Senatobia may continue protests and advocacy for police reform and accountability. The case may also influence broader discussions on police training and use-of-force policies in Mississippi.