Federal agents are investigating a suspected arson at the police headquarters in Senatobia, Mississippi, the same department whose officer shot and killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley in a Walmart parking lot in June.
Story Highlights
- Fire crews were sent to the Senatobia Police Department headquarters at 4:58 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, after smoke was reported inside.
- Authorities called it a suspected arson, and the ATF is leading the investigation.
- Police have not named a suspect or a motive, and the interim chief asked anyone who saw something suspicious to come forward.
- On October 19, Mississippi’s attorney general ruled that the officer who shot Kohen Wiley was justified in using force.
Fire Crews Respond Before Dawn
Firefighters were sent to the city’s police headquarters at 4:58 a.m. to answer a call about smoke in the building, according to the Senatobia Fire Department. Police said the building was damaged by a fire that started around 4:30 a.m. Crews put the flames out quickly. Authorities described the fire as a suspected arson, which means investigators believe someone may have set it on purpose. Officials have not released a cause, a motive or any details about the damage. No one has been named as a suspect, and no arrests have been announced.
🚨 POLICE HQ THAT KILLED A 1-YEAR-OLD BURNS
Sat. — Senatobia, Mississippi HQ went up in flames.
Same dept that killed 1yo Kohen Wiley. "Justified." Chief axed over racist texts. Officer resigned.
ATF investigating. Cause unknown.
Not the only fire. 🔥https://t.co/b4ZxotwrH8
— Tosh Petrovich (@inspiring_tosh) November 1, 2026
The New Orleans office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, known as the ATF, is leading the case with help from local agencies. The ATF is the federal agency that handles arson and bombing cases, and it often steps in when a public building is hit. Interim Police Chief LaMorris Hampton asked the public for help. He urged anyone who “saw something suspicious” to contact investigators. Police have not said whether the fire is tied to the Wiley case.
The Shooting That Put Senatobia In The Spotlight
The department has faced months of anger since June 14. That day, officers went to a Walmart parking lot on a shoplifting call and approached a car. Authorities said the driver moved the car toward officers and nearly hit one. Sergeant Hunter Foster then fired into the car. Kohen Wiley, who was 1 year old, was inside and was killed. His mother was not hurt, and her friend was seriously injured. Both women have denied stealing anything, and no charges have been filed against them, according to reports.
On October 19, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s office said Foster’s use of force was justified and that he would not face criminal charges. Foster then resigned, and the city accepted his resignation on October 21, according to the mayor. The state released body-camera video on October 22. Foster’s lawyer, Martin Zummach, said Foster believed the car was a threat to officers and had no choice but to fire. Ben Crump, a civil rights lawyer for the family, says the video shows Foster was not in immediate danger, and the family has asked federal authorities to investigate.
A Department Under Pressure
The fire is the latest blow to a small-town police force. In September, the city fired its police chief after news reports said he had used racist slurs in private text messages. Then came the state’s ruling on the shooting and the officer’s exit. Authorities say the department has drawn outrage from the community in recent months. Investigators have not said whether that anger has anything to do with the fire.
For residents, the stakes are simple. A police building is where cases, records and evidence are kept, and where people go when they need help. Investigators have not said whether any records or equipment were harmed. What is confirmed is that a federal team is working the case, the department is asking for tips, and no one has been charged. The interim chief has asked anyone who noticed something out of place that morning to come forward.
Sources:
nypost.com, cnn.com, wlbt.com, mississippitoday.org, yahoo.com
