On the afternoon of 14/6, officers from the Senatobia Police Department in Mississippi responded to a theft report at a Walmart supermarket. Arriving at the store's parking lot, they observed two adults carrying one small child running toward a car.

According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), officers instructed the driver to stop the vehicle. However, the driver accelerated towards them, nearly striking one officer. Subsequently, one officer opened fire on the vehicle.

The driver then drove to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed the one-year-old boy's death, investigators stated.

In a statement on 16/6, lawyer Ben Crump identified the victim as Kohen Wiley, one-year-old, who was in the car with his mother and a family friend during the incident.

The scene where police shot into a car, killing a one-year-old boy in Senatobia, Mississippi. *Photo: WREG*

Crump stated that the mother has not been charged with any crime and attempted to inform officers that a child was inside the vehicle. "Despite this, they still opened fire, killing the baby", Crump said, adding that the accompanying friend also sustained serious injuries in the shooting. The lawyer announced the family would seek justice for Wiley.

The Senatobia Police Department did not respond to requests for comment on 16/6. In a Facebook post two days prior, the department pledged full transparency regarding the incident. "Once information is verified, we will release as much as possible", the post read.

Marquell Bridges, a community activist assisting the victim's family, stated on 16/6 that Wiley's mother "did not steal from Walmart, nor did she witness or aid any illegal activity."

"Just minutes before, she was playing with her child on the way to the car, not fleeing after a theft", he said, urging police to release body camera footage from officers and surveillance video from the supermarket.

Residents gathered to protest after police shot into a car, killing Wiley. *Photo: WREG*

Sean Tindell, Director of Mississippi Public Safety, stated that related videos and evidence would only be released after the investigation concludes and the case is transferred to the Attorney General's Office for potential prosecution review.

He declined to discuss specific details of the shooting, urging the public to be patient so investigators can work with witnesses without fear of intimidation or pressure.

However, the shooting has ignited protests in Senatobia, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse crowds at several locations.

In a statement on 16/6, the Senatobia government called Wiley's death a "heartbreaking tragedy," pledging full cooperation with the independent MBI investigation.

"We understand that emotions are high and many questions remain unanswered. During the investigation, we ask the community to avoid speculation and spreading unverified information", the statement noted.

*Duc Trung (According to NBC News, CBS News, AP)*