A police shooting in Senatobia, Mississippi, that left a one-year-old child dead is under investigation by state authorities after a shoplifting call at a Walmart escalated into a fatal confrontation involving officers and a fleeing vehicle, officials said.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) said the incident began Sunday when Senatobia police responded to a report of shoplifting at a Walmart store. Officers encountered two women and a child as they exited the store, got into a vehicle, and began driving away.
According to investigators, officers attempted to stop the vehicle. Authorities said the driver then moved in a direction that allegedly brought the vehicle close to officers, prompting one officer to open fire. The vehicle left the scene immediately afterward.
MBI confirmed that a one-year-old child inside the vehicle was struck during the gunfire and later died. Officials have not released how many shots were fired or how the child was positioned inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
The officer involved has not been publicly identified and has not been charged. The incident remains under active investigation, with state authorities working to reconstruct the sequence of events using witness statements, physical evidence, and available video footage.
Family disputes official account
The child’s mother, Vellesiya Wiley, has disputed parts of the official narrative. In a video shared by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Wiley said she and her friend were struck by gunfire during the incident.
She also challenged the claim that the vehicle was driven toward officers, saying the car was not directed at police and that officers were positioned on one side while the vehicle moved away in another direction.
Wiley further disputed the underlying shoplifting allegation, saying she believes the items in question diapers were paid for.
Investigation continues
Authorities say the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the case review and will examine all available evidence, including potential surveillance footage from the Walmart and surrounding area.
Officials have not said whether charges will be filed. The case remains active as investigators work to determine exactly how the encounter unfolded and whether the use of deadly force was justified under state law.
