The fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley by a police officer in a Walmart parking lot has led to the resignation of Sgt. Hunter Foster, confirmed Senatobia Mayor Greg Graves on Friday. The incident occurred on June 14, during an altercation linked to a shoplifting call. Foster, 33, had faced scrutiny for firing into a moving vehicle, and earlier this week, the Mississippi Attorney General’s office concluded that his actions were justified, clearing him of any criminal wrongdoing.
In a statement, Mayor Graves confirmed Foster's resignation. The officer’s attorney, Martin Zummach, stated that Foster had “no choice” but to discharge his weapon as the vehicle moved toward him. However, Kohen’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, disputed this claim, asserting that her friend, who was driving, did not direct the vehicle toward the officers.
Video footage released on Thursday provides a troubling account of the events that unfolded. It shows Vellesiya Wiley holding Kohen as she and her friend attempted to flee the scene in their vehicle. Officers approached with guns drawn, and as the car reversed, it collided with a parked vehicle. The footage captures the moment when Foster fired his weapon. The bullet struck the shattered passenger window, where Kohen sat on his mother's lap, resulting in his death.
Ben Crump, the attorney representing Kohen’s family, criticized the justification of Foster’s actions, stating the footage contradicts claims of imminent danger. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family corroborated this view, asserting the fatal shot did not come from a position of threat. Crump called for a federal investigation into the shooting, stating, “Officer Foster’s resignation is hardly a step toward accountability, and it is certainly not justice.”
Kohen would have turned two years old in early November. Following the incident, Vellesiya Wiley has denied any allegations of theft, asserting that she and her friend were not charged with any crime, as confirmed by state and county court records.
A report from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation revealed that the officers were initially at the Walmart responding to an unrelated call when they were alerted by an employee about two women running from the store. Video footage shows the chaotic moments as Vellesiya and her friend attempted to escape, leading to Foster’s decision to fire his weapon.
The incident is further complicated by Foster's history with the law. He had previously worked for law enforcement agencies in Mississippi and was involved in a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations during a 2019 arrest. The case involved accusations of excessive force against two Black men, resulting in a settlement in 2022.
Foster's resignation comes amid ongoing discussions about police accountability and use of force. The Senatobia Police Department has recently faced scrutiny, with the city’s police chief being fired after reports surfaced detailing the use of racist slurs in private communications.
As Kohen's family continues to seek justice, their legal team has called for Foster to be decertified as a police officer, preventing him from being hired by another agency. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety confirmed that Foster remains certified as a police officer, raising concerns about the implications of his continued status.
The case highlights the complex issues surrounding law enforcement practices and community safety, particularly in the context of race and accountability. Kohen Wiley’s tragic death has sparked protests and calls for systemic change, with advocates emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and justice in cases of police violence.
According to TheShadeRoom.
