New autopsy of a baby killed by police in Mississippi deepens outrage

The tragic shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley in Mississippi has ignited intense scrutiny and public outcry, fueled by new findings from an independent autopsy conducted at the request of his family. On Wednesday, attorneys Ben Crump and Van Turner presented preliminary results from the autopsy, revealing critical details that challenge the official narrative surrounding the incident. According to the findings, the bullet that killed Kohen entered through the car’s side rather than the front, suggesting that the shooting may not have occurred under the circumstances described by law enforcement. This revelation has raised significant questions about the justification for the use of lethal force and has intensified calls for transparency from both the family and advocates for police accountability.

The incident occurred on June 14 when police responded to a shoplifting complaint at a Walmart in Senatobia, Mississippi. According to state authorities, officers arrived at the scene and observed "two subjects and a juvenile child fleeing from the store into a vehicle." Kohen was a passenger in the car driven by his mother’s friend, with his mother seated beside him. Officials claimed that the driver accelerated toward the officers, prompting an officer to discharge his firearm. The driver sustained injuries in the exchange, and Kohen was struck by the gunfire, ultimately leading to his death. However, Kohen’s mother has contested this version of events, asserting that her friend had already paid for the suspected stolen items—diapers—and was merely attempting to leave the store without further confrontation.

The independent autopsy, performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger Mitchell, revealed that Kohen’s injuries were consistent with a bullet entering from the side of the vehicle. Crump highlighted that the trauma to Kohen’s body, including abrasions on his right torso, aligned with the effects of tempered glass, likely from the car’s right-side passenger window. A photograph of the damaged vehicle was displayed, showing a shattered passenger window and a bullet hole in the windshield on the same side. These findings suggest that the shooter was positioned outside the vehicle, possibly at an angle that contradicts the claim that the driver was approaching the officers head-on.

Crump emphasized that the location of the shot implies a scenario where the officer was not directly threatened, raising doubts about the necessity of lethal force. He pointed out that the positioning of the bullet entry suggests that the shooting originated from the side of the car, making it difficult to justify the use of a firearm in what appears to be a non-lethal encounter. The attorneys argued that the absence of video footage from the police body cameras, dashcams, or Walmart surveillance systems has hindered the full understanding of the events. Crump reiterated that the family is committed to demanding transparency, stating, “We don’t need you to narrate it for us.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is overseeing the ongoing investigation, has not commented on the specific findings of the independent autopsy. Instead, a spokesperson stated that the case remains open and that all relevant information will be released once the investigation concludes. Local authorities have also remained silent on the identity of the officer involved, though the Senatobia Police Department previously placed the officer on administrative leave following the incident. Community members, particularly those who have long criticized local law enforcement practices, have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity and the slow progress of the investigation.

As the controversy grows, the case has drawn parallels to broader issues of racial injustice and excessive force by police. Advocates have compared the incident to high-profile cases such as the death of George Floyd, highlighting the systemic risks faced by Black individuals in interactions with law enforcement. The family of Kohen Wiley continues to seek answers, urging authorities to provide the visual evidence that could clarify the sequence of events and determine whether the shooting was lawful or unjustified. With public pressure mounting, the outcome of this case may serve as a pivotal moment in the ongoing national conversation about police conduct and the protection of vulnerable lives.