An arson fire Saturday morning damaged the building of a beleaguered police department in Mississippi, sparking community outrage in recent months after an arson attack. police officer shoots and kills 1-year-old childauthorities said.
It is not clear what caused the fire at the Senatobian police headquarters. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local agencies are investigating.
The Associated Press has contacted the Tate County Fire Department, Police Department and Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Firefighters were dispatched to the town police department at 4:58 a.m. to respond to smoke in the building, the Senatobia Fire Department said in a statement, and crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire. There were no details about the damage.
The Senateobia Police ignited anger in community of 8,000 after police officer shoots into vehicle, kills 1-year-old Kohen Wiley in June while investigating a shoplifting call at a Walmart.
Wiley, who is black, was in the vehicle with his mother, who was unharmed, and his friend, who was seriously injured. Both women denied stealing anything and no charges were filed against them.
In September, the the police chief was fired after reporting by the New York Times, Mississippi Today and Verite News, he alleged he used racial slurs in private text messages. Earlier this month, the officer involved shooting resignedalthough he was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office after its investigation concluded that his use of force was justified.
Senatobia is about 40 miles south of Memphis.
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