Nearly Two Months After 1-Year-Old Kohen Wiley Was Killed by Senatobia Police, Black Lawmakers Are Demanding Greater Transparency in the Investigation
Nearly two months after 1-year-old Kohen Wiley was fatally shot by police in Senatobia, Mississippi, members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus are demanding state officials provide his family with clearer answers and more consistent communication.
The caucus announced Monday that it sent an open letter to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Finch and Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell raising concerns about the investigation into Wiley’s June 14 death and what lawmakers described as inadequate communication with his family.
“What we heard was unacceptable,” Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kabir Karriem said.
Black Caucus Calls for Direct Communication With Wiley Family
After speaking with Wiley’s relatives and their representatives, caucus members said they want state officials to establish an immediate and clearly identified point of contact for the family and provide regular updates as the investigation continues.
Wiley was killed after officers responded to an alleged shoplifting call at a Walmart in Senatobia. He and members of his family were reportedly leaving the store when the shooting occurred.
Nearly two months later, the family continues to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and whether officers acted appropriately.
“Kohen Wiley was only one year old,” Karriem said. “His family deserves answers, respect, and the assurance that the institutions investigating his death are accountable to the people they serve.”
Shooting Raises Broader Transparency Questions
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been investigating Wiley’s death since the June 14 shooting.
The case has also intensified questions surrounding transparency in law enforcement shootings across Mississippi, including how and when body-camera footage is released to families and the public.
Related: Mississippi Officer Placed On Leave After Fatally Shooting One-Year-Old
According to the original report, lawmakers are expected to address the body-camera issue during the state’s upcoming legislative session.
The Black Caucus now joins Wiley’s family and others calling for greater transparency as the investigation moves forward, with lawmakers arguing that the family should not be left without regular information about a case involving the police killing of a 1-year-old child.
