Police bodycam footage released in fatal shooting of infant in Mississippi

On June 14, 2026, a one-year-old boy named Kohen Wiley was fatally shot by police in Senatobia, Mississippi, near Memphis. The incident occurred after police received a report that the infant's mother, Velesha Wiley, and her friend, Latoya Ferrell, had allegedly stolen a package of diapers from a Walmart store. Bodycam footage released in October 2026 shows police surrounding the vehicle and ordering the women to stop. According to police reports, the driver attempted to maneuver the vehicle toward the officers, prompting them to open fire. One of the shots struck and killed the infant, who was being held by his mother at the time. The mother reportedly lifted the child to signal his presence in the vehicle.

The Mississippi Attorney General's office officially announced on October 19, 2026, that the officers' use of force was deemed justified. However, the family of the deceased and their attorney, Ben Crump, have strongly disputed the police narrative, specifically challenging the claim that the vehicle was being driven directly toward the officers. The release of the footage has renewed public scrutiny and sparked controversy regarding the escalation of police tactics during minor shoplifting investigations.