Mississippi city where police killed one-year-old Kohen Wiley fires police chief

A Mississippi city where a one-year-old Black child was shot and killed by police during a routine investigation has removed its top law enforcement official following allegations of racist behavior. On September 2, 2026, the Senatobia city council voted unanimously to fire Police Chief Harold Vanderford, marking a decisive step in response to both the fatal shooting of Kohen Wiley and claims of discriminatory conduct by the chief. The incident occurred on June 14, 2026, when a Senatobia police officer opened fire on a vehicle during a shoplifting investigation at a Walmart. The shooting resulted in the death of Kohen Wiley, a Black infant, and left another woman injured. Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, maintained that neither she nor her companion were involved in theft, and no criminal charges have been brought against them. The case has sparked intense public debate and heightened concerns about racial bias within local law enforcement. Vanderford, who had initially submitted his resignation following revelations of racist slurs in his private text messages, saw his resignation rejected by the city’s board of aldermen. Instead, the board chose to terminate his employment. These allegations emerged through investigative reports by The New York Times, Mississippi Today, and Verite News, which detailed conversations in which Vanderford reportedly used racially charged language toward a fellow officer. The findings prompted renewed scrutiny of the department amid ongoing tensions between Black residents and police in the community. In a statement, National civil rights attorney Ben Crump expressed support for the decision to remove Vanderford, emphasizing that the chief’s actions underscored systemic issues requiring transparency. Crump urged the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to release body camera footage of the shooting, arguing that the family deserved complete accountability. “This family cannot simply be told to trust the process,” Crump stated, highlighting the need for factual clarity and justice. City officials had previously attempted to address the controversy, issuing a statement on August 25, 2026, that Vanderford had answered questions before the mayor and city council and would continue serving as chief. However, the new vote to fire him signaled a shift in stance, reflecting growing pressure from both the community and legal advocates. Alderman Demetrius Garrett, among other city leaders, voiced support for the decision, stating that the board had a duty to uphold the integrity of the police department. In a Facebook post, Garrett acknowledged the gravity of the situation, asserting that unity should not come at the expense of addressing serious misconduct. “I still believe in unity,” he wrote, “but unity does not mean ignoring serious issues, it means standing together for what is right.” The Associated Press sought comment from the Senatobia Police Department but did not receive a response. Meanwhile, the broader implications of the firing extend beyond the immediate fallout of the shooting. It represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for accountability and reform within law enforcement, particularly in communities historically subjected to racial discrimination. As the city moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that the families affected, especially Kohen Wiley’s, are treated with the dignity and justice they deserve.