SENATOBIA, Mississippi — The grieving family of Kohen Kartier Wiley, the 1-year-old boy fatally shot by police in a Walmart parking lot, is demanding the immediate release of body camera and surveillance footage, saying transparency is essential to understanding the circumstances of his death.

“I watched my baby take his first breath, and I watched my baby take his last breath,” Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, said. “The longer you delay releasing the video, the more distrustful we become.”

The incident occurred on June 14 when Senatobia police responded to a shoplifting call. Officers fired into a moving vehicle, striking and killing the toddler. Kohen’s mother and another adult were also in the car; the driver was injured.

The family maintains they were driving away from the scene, while police have stated the vehicle moved toward officers, prompting one to open fire. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the case, and the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Community members and civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump, have joined the family at rallies and press conferences, holding signs and banners calling for “Justice for Kohen.” A large memorial with photos, balloons, and stuffed animals has been set up outside the Walmart.

The case has ignited tensions in the small Mississippi town, with some residents viewing it as part of a pattern of concerning police interactions with Black families. Protests have taken place, and calls for independent review and full transparency continue to grow.

As the investigation proceeds, Kohen’s family is pushing for answers and accountability, emphasizing that no child should lose their life in such a manner.