Police Mistake Shoots 9-Year-Old Boy Near Supermarket in Shocking Drama

A one-year-old boy was fatally shot by Memphis police officers on June 19, 2026, after they mistook him for a suspect in a supermarket parking lot, according to multiple law enforcement sources and local media reports. The incident, which has sparked outrage in the city, follows a pattern of high-profile police shootings in the U.S. that have intensified scrutiny over use-of-force policies. Authorities have not yet released the names of the officers involved or the suspect targeted.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. local time outside a Kroger supermarket in Memphis, Tennessee, where officers responded to a report of an armed individual. According to a statement from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) obtained by The Commercial Appeal, officers engaged the suspect after he allegedly refused commands to drop a firearm. The boy, later identified as Kohen Wiley, was struck by gunfire while standing near his mother, who was unharmed. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with multiple officers firing their weapons.

Memphis Mayor Nick Vann said in a press conference on June 20 that the city is cooperating with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, which has opened a criminal investigation into the shooting. “This is a tragic loss of life, and we must hold those responsible accountable,” Vann stated. The FBI has also been notified and is assisting with the probe, though its role remains under review. The Memphis Police Department has suspended the involved officers pending the outcome of the investigation.

Kohen’s death has reignited national debates over police training in crisis situations, particularly in distinguishing between armed suspects and civilians in high-stress environments. A 2025 report by the Police Executive Research Forum found that 18% of fatal police shootings in the U.S. involved mistaken identity or misidentification of the target. In Memphis alone, three officers have been fired or charged with misconduct in shootings since 2023, according to data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Community leaders, including local NAACP chapters and faith-based organizations, have called for transparency in the investigation. “Families like Kohen’s deserve answers, not empty promises,” said Rev. Alonzo Johnson of the Memphis NAACP. Protests are planned for June 22 outside police headquarters, with organizers demanding bodycam footage and a full review of MPD’s use-of-force policies. The Memphis Police Department has not yet released footage from the incident, citing ongoing investigations.

The Kroger supermarket where the shooting occurred is located in a predominantly Black neighborhood, where residents say they have long struggled with police-community relations. A 2024 survey by the University of Memphis found that 68% of Black residents in Shelby County reported feeling “unfairly targeted” by law enforcement, compared to 32% of white residents. The disparity has led to increased calls for community policing initiatives, though funding for such programs remains limited.

In response to the shooting, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a review of state-level police training standards on June 20. “This tragedy demands we examine how we equip our officers to de-escalate situations and protect innocent lives,” Lee said in a statement. The review will focus on crisis intervention techniques and the use of body-worn cameras, though no timeline for implementation has been set.

Kohen’s family has not issued a public statement, but legal representatives have confirmed they are working with civil rights attorneys to pursue potential wrongful death claims. The family’s attorney, Marcus Johnson, told local media that they are seeking “justice for Kohen and a commitment from Memphis to prevent this from happening again.” The city has not yet announced plans to settle the case or offer compensation.

For those seeking support, the Memphis chapter of the NAACP is offering a community healing session on June 23 at City Hall. The Shelby County Crisis Center is also available 24/7 at (901) 222-HELP (4357) for anyone affected by the incident.