Bodycam footage has been released showing the final moments before one-year-old Kohen Wiley was fatally shot by police in a Mississippi car park. The officers involved have been cleared of any charges following a review that found the use of force was justified.
The incident took place on June 14 outside a Walmart in Senatobia, where officers responded to an alleged shoplifting. Kohen Wiley, the one-year-old son of Vellesiya Wiley, was struck by a bullet and died as a result.
Footage Shows Officers Surrounding Vehicle
The bodycam footage, first shared by Darkhorse Press, begins with a man running into the Walmart security office to warn officers that an active theft was underway. He can be heard saying: "Two women are running, two women are running."
Officers then ran into the car park and caught up with the vehicle as Wiley appeared to be attempting to get away. Several officers surrounded the vehicle, ordering her to "stop the car", the clip shows.
Officers Cleared of Charges
Within seconds, Latoya Ferrell, who was driving, drove towards the police and hit them with the vehicle. A number of gunshots can be heard as she accelerated forward, with officials confirming the one-year-old was shot dead.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch confirmed the officers would not face any charges, with a review finding "the use of force was justified". No further reasoning was given for the decision.
Mother's Account of the Shooting
Vellesiya claimed that the police were aware a baby was in the car as she raised Kohen in the air as the incident unfolded. She said: "I raised my baby up, trying to show that he was in the car. So she [Ferrell] was backing up and she hit a car."
Wiley added: "By the time I set my baby down, it was like three to four shots. One of the shots hit him in his ribcage and the other shot hit her in her arm and her thigh."
Her attorney, Ben Crump, said the two women deny the allegations they were shoplifting and neither have been charged with a crime in connection with the incident. The one-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and Ferrell was airlifted to another hospital in critical condition, according to family members.
