Kohen Wiley’s family pushes for federal investigation after baby’s shooting deemed justified

SENATOBIA, Miss. (WMC/Gray News) - The family of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley is pushing to have the Department of Justice open an investigation into his death.

Kohen was shot and killed by a Senatobia police officer back on June 14 at the Senatobia Walmart parking lot.

Earlier this week, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office announced the officer was justified in his actions.

The Wiley family is represented by civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Van Turner. The two held a press conference alongside the Wiley family and community activists Thursday morning.

“I’m having a difficult time understanding the word justified. I just don’t understand,” said LaSandra Williams, Kohen’s paternal grandmother.

Williams and Kohen’s maternal grandmother, Veronica Roberson, say they remain heartbroken.

According to Crump’s team, the Wiley family was able to review all of the surveillance and body camera footage from the shooting provided by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Thursday morning.

“Disgusted me. First, I want to say, the word justified has haunted me since Monday,” said Roberson.

Roberson and Williams said they will not stop pushing for justice.

“We’re going to petition the Department of Justice to open an investigation to make sure that we get justice for this baby. It just won’t end here,” said Turner.

Turner and Crump said the videos from MBI match the results of their independent autopsy.

Kohen was shot through the side, right to left. According to Crump, MBI said a total of three bullets were fired.

“The third bullet from the side, the bullet that killed one-year-old baby Kohen Wiley, was not justified,” said Crump.

After being cleared by the Mississippi Attorney General, Senatobia Police Officer Hunter Foster reportedly resigned, according to Turner.

Kohen’s family, Crump’s team, and the community said they want Foster decertified.

“It’s not a white or Black issue. It’s a right or wrong issue,” said Brackin Camp. “This was way too much force; it’s unbelievable what happened in the Walmart parking lot that day.”

A special meeting was called by the Senatobia Board of Aldermen and the Mayor on Wednesday. WMC news crews were there; however, a motion was passed to turn the meeting into a closed executive session regarding police personnel.