Family Seeks Justice for Fatal Shooting of 1-Year-Old by Police

The great-grandmother of a 1-year-old boy fatally shot by a police officer during a shoplifting call criticized the officer’s actions. Carolyn Stokes, age 72, described the gunfire as “reckless” and expressed hope for justice. She questioned the need for a Mississippi officer to fire into a vehicle outside a Walmart in Senatobia, leading to the death of her great-grandson, Kohen Wiley.

During an interview with Newsweek, Stokes said, “It was reckless, it was unnecessary to be firing into a car.” She questioned the officer’s decision to draw a weapon on individuals suspected of shoplifting, suggesting there was no need for immediate force.

Why did you not go into the store? Because they were rushing from the store, they could’ve just been in a hurry.

The officer involved is now on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted. Stokes accused the officer of impulsive behavior and emphasized her belief that justice will eventually prevail, stating, “God has the last say; he will bring this all to the forefront in due time.” She concluded the interview shortly after.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation reported that officers encountered “two subjects and a juvenile” fleeing Walmart in a vehicle. As officers attempted to detain them, the vehicle reportedly moved toward the officers, nearly hitting one. This prompted an officer to open fire, after which the vehicle fled the scene.

The group later arrived at a local hospital, where Kohen Wiley, the young child inside the vehicle, was pronounced dead. A friend of Kohen’s mother suffered critical injuries, though no officers were seriously hurt. Kohen’s mother was unharmed, according to local advocate Marquell Bridges, head of the Building Bridges Coalition.

Bridges clarified on Facebook that Kohen’s mother was not involved in any crime, describing her as having been playful moments before the incident with her child.

Kohen’s grandfather, Carlos Haynes, expressed his grief, lamenting that his grandson’s life ended too soon. “Someone ended it all before it could even start,” he told the Associated Press.

Bailey Martin, a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, stated that further information is withheld due to the open investigation. Meanwhile, Senatobia police have promised thoroughness and transparency in their investigation, ensuring updates as facts are verified.