SENATOBIA, Miss. — A Walmart store in Senatobia, Mississippi, has temporarily closed amid growing protests and boycott efforts following the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley during a police response to an alleged shoplifting call earlier this month.
The closure comes as activists, family members, and community leaders continue demanding answers regarding the June 14 incident that left the toddler dead and another woman seriously injured after law enforcement officers opened fire on a vehicle outside the store.
According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, officers from the Senatobia Police Department and the Tate County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspected shoplifting at the Walmart.
Authorities say an officer fired at a vehicle after it allegedly drove toward officers during an attempted stop.
Kohen Wiley, who was inside the vehicle with his mother and a family friend, was struck and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Another occupant of the vehicle suffered critical injuries.
The shooting has sparked widespread outrage across Mississippi and beyond. Demonstrations have been held outside the Walmart, at city meetings, and throughout the community as residents call for transparency and accountability
Protesters have demanded the release of body-camera footage, surveillance video from Walmart, and the identification of the officer involved in the shooting.
On Saturday, activists and members of community organizations marched through Senatobia to the Walmart, urging residents to boycott the retailer and support the Wiley family.
Organizers described the death of the toddler as a breaking point in long-standing concerns about policing in the community.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed that the Senatobia location has been temporarily closed, though company officials have not announced when the store will reopen. Walmart has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Wiley family, has called for a full and independent review of the shooting. Family members dispute allegations that any theft occurred and have questioned why officers resorted to deadly force during what began as a shoplifting investigation.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry and is expected to submit its findings to state prosecutors once completed.
As the investigation moves forward, memorials and vigils continue to be held in honor of Kohen Wiley. Supporters say their focus remains on obtaining answers for the child’s family and ensuring accountability for those involved in the incident.
No criminal charges have been announced as of Sunday, and state investigators have not released the names of the officers involved.
Video Credit: fox13memphis.com
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