SENATOBIA, Miss. — A Mississippi community is mourning the death of 2-year-old Kohen Kartier, who was fatally struck by police gunfire Sunday afternoon during an incident near a Walmart in Senatobia.
The officer identified in connection with the shooting is Hunter Foster, a Senatobia police officer who reportedly fired his weapon during an attempted vehicle stop stemming from an alleged shoplifting incident.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, and authorities have not released a complete account of what prompted the officer to discharge his firearm.
The tragedy has sparked grief and outrage among members of the community, while Kohen’s family and others are calling for transparency about how the encounter unfolded and why gunfire was used.
2-year-old Kohen Kartier killed during police shooting
The incident happened at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday near the Walmart on U.S. Highway 51 in Senatobia, Mississippi.
According to preliminary information, Senatobia police officers were responding to a reported shoplifting incident at the store involving diapers.
Officers reportedly attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be connected to the incident.
During the encounter, Officer Hunter Foster discharged his firearm into the vehicle.
Kohen Kartier was inside the vehicle and was struck by the gunfire.
The toddler was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel attempted to save his life.
Despite those efforts, Kohen died from his injuries.
He was only two years old.
Hunter Foster identified as officer involved
Hunter Foster has been identified as the Senatobia police officer who discharged his firearm during the incident.
Because the shooting involved a law enforcement officer, the case has been turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
At this point, authorities have not publicly established the full sequence of events leading up to the gunfire.
It remains unclear from the preliminary information what officers knew at the time of the attempted stop, what actions they believed the occupants of the vehicle were taking, or what specific circumstances led Foster to fire his weapon.
Those questions are expected to be central to the state investigation.
Shooting occurred during alleged shoplifting investigation
The police response began with a reported theft at the Walmart.
Preliminary reports indicate that officers were attempting to stop a vehicle allegedly connected to the shoplifting incident involving diapers.
The encounter escalated when Foster reportedly fired into the vehicle.
Kohen was struck during the shooting.
While the underlying shoplifting allegation is part of the circumstances being investigated, the death of a two-year-old child has shifted attention toward the use of deadly force and the decisions made during the police encounter.
Authorities have not announced any final findings regarding whether the officer’s use of force was justified.
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation takes over case
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for investigating the officer-involved shooting.
MBI agents are expected to examine evidence collected at the scene and reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.
The investigation may include interviews with witnesses, examination of physical evidence and review of available body-camera or surveillance footage.
Investigators will also work to establish the positions of the people involved, the movements of the vehicle and officers, and the circumstances immediately preceding the gunfire.
The purpose of the investigation is to determine what happened and provide state authorities with a factual account of the shooting.
Family and community demand answers
Kohen’s death has left his family and members of the Senatobia community grieving.
The circumstances have also prompted calls for accountability and transparency, particularly because the shooting began as a response to an alleged property crime and ended with the death of a two-year-old child.
Residents and supporters are seeking answers about why the vehicle was stopped, what happened during the encounter and why an officer discharged a firearm.
Those questions cannot be fully answered until investigators complete their review.
Investigation could determine whether charges are warranted
Once the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation completes its investigation, the findings will be provided to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities for review.
That process will help determine whether the evidence supports any criminal charges or other action involving the officer.
No final determination regarding criminal responsibility has been announced.
Officer Hunter Foster has not been found criminally responsible for Kohen Kartier’s death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A toddler’s death leaves Senatobia grieving
For Kohen Kartier’s family, the investigation cannot undo the loss of a child who was only two years old.
The circumstances surrounding his death have nevertheless made a thorough and transparent investigation especially important to those seeking answers.
As MBI investigators continue examining the evidence, authorities are expected to release additional information when it can be made public without compromising the investigation.
For now, the central questions surrounding the fatal shooting remain unanswered: what happened during the attempted vehicle stop, what led Hunter Foster to open fire, and whether the use of deadly force complied with the law and department policy.
The investigation remains active.
