A powerful call for justice resonated during the funeral of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley in Mississippi. The toddler’s life was tragically cut short earlier this month in a police shooting. Mourners gathered to honor Kohen and demand accountability for his death, which remains under investigation.
At the Hosanna Family Worship Center in Pope, speakers remembered Kohen as a vibrant young child. Van Turner, the Wiley family’s civil rights attorney, led chants for justice as hundreds gathered. Turner emphasized, “There is nothing in that Walmart store more precious than a baby.”
Kohen was killed when a Senatobia police officer fired on a vehicle outside a Walmart. Officers were responding to a reported shoplifting incident when the vehicle reportedly posed a threat to them. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the ongoing investigation and may release body-camera footage in the months ahead.
Honoring Kohen’s Life
During the service, Kohen’s life was celebrated by family and friends. He was laid to rest with a stuffed Bluey toy. His mother, Vellesiya Wiley, held her own Bluey toy during the ceremony. A white horse-drawn carriage carried Kohen’s Bluey-themed casket, as seen in social media footage.
Nearly 300 attendees joined the service at 2:00 p.m. local time. Support came from members of Black Lives Matter Birmingham Grass Roots, who traveled to Mississippi in solidarity with the family.
The funeral followed a public visitation in Senatobia, where community members paid their respects. Although a candlelight vigil was planned, it was canceled due to a missing form submission by a city official.
Controversy Surrounding the Shooting
Authorities reported that the shooting occurred on June 14 during a response to an alleged Walmart shoplifting. Law enforcement described the vehicle carrying Kohen and two adults as advancing toward officers before one officer fired. Kohen was struck and later died from his injuries.
Kohen’s family disputes the police version of events. His mother, Vellesiya, insists she showed officers her son in the car, which was moving away, not toward, police when shots were fired. The family’s legal team, including Ben Crump, is pushing for police body-camera and surveillance footage release.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation stated they typically aim to conclude investigations within 6-9 months, but this case is prioritized. Once complete, findings will be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office.
The officer involved in the shooting, whose identity remains confidential, is on administrative leave.