Police: Child killed after officer fires upon car following reported shoplifting

A child was killed after an officer fired fire on a vehicle following an alleged larceny at a Walmart in Mississippi, according to authorities.

According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, an adult was gravely hurt in the Sunday afternoon shooting at a Walmart in Senatobia.

When officers went to a shoplifting allegation at Walmart, they saw two adults fleeing the store with a child and driving away, according to the bureau. cops attempted to halt the vehicle, but the driver drove in the direction of the cops, nearly striking one, according to the agency, which noted that the information is preliminary. “An officer then discharged their weapon, and the vehicle fled the scene.”

According to the bureau, the passengers in the vehicle took the boy to a local hospital, where he was confirmed dead. One of the adults was also critically injured, according to the report.

Authorities did not offer any information about the gunshot victims, including the age of the child murdered.

According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the shooting incident involved the Senatobia Police Department and the Tate County Sheriff’s Office, but no information was provided on the officer who shot the firearm or how many times the gun was fired.

The bureau reported that no cops were critically hurt.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting and will report its findings to the state attorney general’s office. This is an open and ongoing investigation. “No further comment will be made at this time,” a representative with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation told ABC News on Monday in response to several questions about the event.

Senatobia is located in northwest Mississippi, approximately 40 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.

The Senatobia Police Department reported an officer-involved gunshot shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday. “We are committed to complete transparency,” said the Senatobia Police Department in a statement. “As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible.”

A Walmart spokeswoman stated that they are cooperating with local police during the inquiry. “We’re saddened by what happened at our Senatobia, Mississippi, store,” the representative added. “The safety of our associates and customers is a top priority.”

Senatobia Alderman Chris McConnell urged folks to trust official sources and allow the investigation to move forward. Please join me in prayer for all those affected, their families, our law enforcement officers, first responders, and the whole Senatobia community,” he added in a statement.