Senatobia Police Chief Fired Amid Controversy Following Child's Shooting and Alleged Racist Language
Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford was fired by the city's board of aldermen following a unanimous vote, after he submitted his resignation. This decision comes amid controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley by police in June, and recent reports alleging Vanderford used racist slurs in private text conversations with a colleague. The child's death, which occurred when an officer fired into a vehicle during a shoplifting investigation, has ignited anger and raised tensions between Black residents and police in the city. National civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Kohen's family, called the firing the 'right decision' and demanded the release of body-camera footage. Alderman Chris McConnell has called for an independent investigation into the police department's leadership, internal culture, and handling of complaints. 
