Tragic Shooting of Toddler in Mississippi
A 1-year-old boy lost his life after being shot by a state trooper in Mississippi. This incident occurred when the boy’s mother and aunt were leaving a Walmart parking lot, allegedly after taking diapers without paying.
The child, named Cohen Wiley, died from injuries sustained when police opened fire on their vehicle in Senatobia. Another woman who was in the car was severely injured, but it’s still unclear whether she was Cohen’s mother or his aunt.
According to family members, Cohen’s mother was holding him in the passenger seat while his aunt was driving. The situation escalated when officers, responding to reports of theft, saw their vehicle speeding away.
As stated by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, officers claimed the driver sped toward them and nearly struck one of their own as they attempted to stop the car. They opened fire at that moment.
Video footage revealed at least one bullet hole in the windshield and the passenger side window was also significantly damaged. Tragically, the family transported Cohen to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The family of the surviving toddler is seeking answers regarding the violent response to what began as a shoplifting incident. They refuted claims that Cohen’s mother and aunt were trying to steal the diapers.
“We don’t understand why this happened. All we know is that our one-year-old baby is gone,” said Carolyn Stokes, Cohen’s great-grandmother.
Cohen’s grandfather, Carlos Haynes, expressed his devastation, saying, “I honestly don’t have words for this. Someone needs to be held accountable.”
A witness at the scene reported hearing gunshots but presumed that officers wouldn’t fire in such a public setting as a Walmart. Another witness mentioned seeing the mother and aunt with a baby and a box of diapers in their hands just before they left the store.
The Senatobia Police Department is handing over the investigation to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Furthermore, Tate County Sheriff Luke Shepherd announced that his department is conducting a separate investigation to assess if the deputies involved should face administrative leave.
