Family's heartbreak as toddler, 1, sitting in his car seat is shot dead by COP during wild chase in Walmart parking lot

Published: 00:32, 17 June 2026 | Updated: 00:41, 17 June 2026 A toddler was shot to death by a Mississippi police officer in a Walmart parking lot after the child's family allegedly tried to flee while stealing. Kohen Wiley, 1, was killed and another woman was critically injured in Senatobia on Sunday outside the retail store when a cop opened fire on their car. Kohen's mother was holding the toddler in the passenger seat as his aunt drove, Kohen's family told WREG. Officers from the Senatobia Police Department and the Tate County Sheriff's Department responded to the Walmart for a reported shoplifting incident, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Cops encountered the two adults and child, who were fleeing the store and getting into a vehicle, officials said. After they instructed the driver to stop the car, she instead drove at officers, nearly striking one of them, according to authorities. A cop then opened fire on the vehicle before it drove away. Kohen was brought to a local hospital in the same vehicle, where he was pronounced dead. Family members told WREG that the aunt was in critical condition. Kohen Wiley, 1, was killed and another woman was critically injured in Senatobia on Sunday outside a Walmart when a cop opened fire on their car His mother was holding the toddler in the passenger seat as his aunt drove, Kohen's family told WREG (Pictured with his mother) The family has denied the allegations that their loved ones were stealing. A woman who witnessed the shooting, who did not want to be identified, told WREG she saw the shooting unfold: 'I seen the officers take off running, not in the car, I'm talking about on feet, and these are the Sheriffs and the police.' 'They're running through the parking lot and I see the car take off, you know, so in my head, I'm like, I know they're not chasing the car, they don't think they're going to catch the car. 'Then I hear gunshots and I'm like, I know they're not shooting at a car that's leaving in a public... this is Walmart.' Another witness told the outlet he heard two gunshots and added that officers were waiting in the parking lot as two women exited the store, with one carrying a box of diapers and the other holding Kohen. Senatobia police said it is committed to full transparency in a statement after the shooting. 'As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible,' the department wrote on Facebook. According to authorities, after they instructed the driver to stop the car, she instead drove at officers, nearly striking one of them Kohen was brought to a local hospital in the same vehicle, where he was pronounced dead A Walmart spokesperson made a statement on Monday noting that the company was saddened by the shooting death outside the store and added that the safety of staff and customers is a top priority, according to Mississippi Today. The company is also working with law enforcement during the investigation. Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, issued a statement as well: 'A 1-year-old child is dead because police officers in Mississippi opened fire on a car in a crowded Walmart parking lot.' 'Kohen Wiley was a baby. His mother, who has not been charged with any crime, says she was trying to communicate to officers that there was a baby in the car.' 'They fired anyway, leading to the death of an innocent 1-year-old. We intend to seek justice for baby Kohen and the life that was stolen from him.' According to Mississippi Today, Tate County Sheriff Luke Shepherd said the department has launched an internal review to determine whether any deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on leave. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the incident. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.