Fire Hits Senatobia Police Station

Federal investigators arrived early Saturday morning to examine a fire that damaged the Senatobia Police Department headquarters. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined local agencies in the inquiry.

Senatobia Fire Department crews responded to reports of smoke at the building at 4:58 a.m. The department stated that firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. Officials had not released specific details regarding the extent of the physical damage as of Saturday.

The incident occurs during a period of intense scrutiny for the police force. In June, an officer shot and killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley while responding to a shoplifting call at a local Walmart. Wiley was Black and was riding in a vehicle with his mother and her friend. The mother was unharmed, but her friend suffered serious injuries. The two women denied stealing merchandise, and no criminal charges have been filed against them.

The shooting drew widespread community anger in the town of 8,000 residents. In September, the police chief was fired following reports that he used racist slurs in private text messages. The New York Times, Mississippi Today, and Verite News published those allegations.

The officer who fired the shots in June resigned earlier this month. His departure followed a probe by the Mississippi Attorney General’s office. That review concluded his use of force was justified and cleared him of criminal wrongdoing. Senatobia is located about 40 miles south of Memphis.

The Associated Press sought comment from the fire department, police department, and the Tate County Sheriff’s Office regarding the fire and its investigation.