After AG Said Police Shooting That Killed Boy, 1, Was ‘Justified,’ Lawyer Says Evidence Tells a Different Story

The family of Kohen Wiley, a one-year-old boy tragically shot in a Mississippi Walmart parking lot by a police officer, has vehemently contested the conclusion that the officer’s actions were justified. This assertion came after they reviewed bodycam footage, which they believe contradicts the findings of an investigation led by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Kohen’s family, stated at a news conference that the footage revealed the fatal shot was fired from the side of the vehicle, raising serious questions about the necessity of the officer’s actions. Kohen was killed on June 14 when Officer Hunter Foster fired into a moving vehicle while responding to a report of an alleged shoplifting incident involving two women accused of stealing diapers and baby clothes.

The disturbing incident has spurred long-lasting grief and outrage from the family and local community, particularly as Kohen was set to celebrate his second birthday on November 1. Crump underscored the emotional toll on the family as they grapple with the implications of their loss, especially in light of the recent announcement by Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch who declared the shooting “justified” without providing insight into the investigative reasoning.

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, responding officers had encountered individuals fleeing the Walmart with a child. The agency reported that the vehicle acted in a threatening manner towards officers, allegedly nearly striking one officer before the firearm was discharged. However, Crump and the family maintain that the events surrounding the shooting should not have resulted in such fatal consequences.

The family’s frustration deepened when they learned of the Attorney General’s decision through social media rather than through direct communication. Local activist Marquell Bridges, who leads the Building Bridges Coalition, highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability that has become a rallying cry for those seeking justice for Kohen.

Kohen’s grandmother, Veronica Roberson, expressed her pain and disbelief upon hearing the finding, stating that the word “justified” haunts her in the aftermath of such a devastating loss. Meanwhile, Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, was holding her son at the time of the shooting. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the accusations of theft, and neither she nor her friend, who was driving the vehicle and also suffered injuries, have faced criminal charges.

Crump passionately remarked on the broader implications of the case, asserting that the decision by authorities sends a harmful message regarding the value of Black lives. “Diapers are something a mother needs for a child. Diapers should never cost a baby their life,” he stated, emphasizing the vulnerability of marginalized communities in encounters with law enforcement.

In an independent autopsy commissioned by Kohen’s family, it was reported that the fatal shot did, in fact, come from the side of the vehicle, further complicating the narrative surrounding the justification of the officer’s conduct. The bodycam footage is anticipated to play a crucial role in the family’s pursuit of accountability, serving as a significant piece of evidence that they believe exonerates their position regarding the incident.

The aftermath of this tragedy has sparked protests across the region, as community members call for greater accountability and reform in police practices. Many are demanding transparency in investigations involving police shootings, claiming that such incidents often go unchallenged, especially when they involve vulnerable groups. The family remains resolute, seeking justice for Kohen and urging the community to stand together against what they view as systemic injustices entrenched in local law enforcement.

As they navigate the challenging landscape following the shooting, Kohen’s family holds onto the hope that their advocacy will prompt meaningful change. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for dialogue and reform surrounding police interactions with the public, particularly within communities of colour.