Outrage erupted online after the mother of the 1-year-old Mississippi Walmart shooting victim was seen in displaying large amounts of cash during the child’s funeral.
Kohen Wiley was a 1-year-old boy who was fatally shot during a police encounter outside a Walmart in Senatobia, Mississippi, after officers responded to a reported shoplifting call. The tragedy sparked widespread outrage, with many people questioning the officers’ decision to open fire and calling for the release of body camera and surveillance footage as the investigation continues. At the same time, the case has also become the subject of online debate, with some people criticizing Kohen’s mother over her actions during the incident and her subsequent social media posts, while others argue that the focus should remain on the police shooting that claimed the toddler’s life.
The controversy surrounding the mother intensified after photos circulating on social media appeared to show her at her son’s funeral holding large amounts of cash. The images drew widespread attention online, with many people criticizing what they viewed as inappropriate behavior for the occasion. Alongside the alleged post, she wrote, “Until we meet again my handsome face mommy loves you baby.”
Two of the photos showed the mother smiling while holding large amounts of cash in her hands. In other images, she was holding a Bluey plush toy that was presumed to have belonged to her son. The inclusion of the cash in the funeral photos quickly sparked debate online, with many commenters arguing that it was inappropriate, while others cautioned against judging a grieving parent based solely on photos shared on social media.
Viewers Outraged After Mississippi Mother Flaunts Money at Funeral
The pictures sparked reactions online. Many viewers criticized the Mississippi mother for displaying cash in the funeral photos, saying they believed the behavior was inappropriate. “Wowzers. Not much to say but a lot should be said about this. This is not normal or ok,” one person wrote. Another commenter analyzed the photos, writing, “(Presumably) Holding her baby’s favorite stuffed animal, totally fine and sweet. Potentially dressing like him….okayyyy little odd. Doing both of these things and flashing cash in a memorial post….just [expletive] weird.”
More people said they were surprised by the mother’s actions, especially given how much public attention and controversy the case has received. “It’s definitely strange but I can maybe excuse the outfit and even the weird horse drawn hearse/carriage as people grieve differently and wanting to celebrate his life, but the flashing bands is just completely inappropriate. In any case, it’s tragic that any of this happened regardless of who was at fault or not. Though this does point slightly towards it being an ESH situation,” one person wrote.
The photos sparked a conversation about how public displays during moments of grief can be interpreted very differently, and how certain actions may draw controversy when shared on social media. They also fueled ongoing debate about the case, with some commenters saying the images reinforced their criticism of the mother, while others argued that the focus should remain on the circumstances surrounding her son’s death rather than her funeral photos.
