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Hunter Foster is a Sergeant with the Senatobia Police Department in Mississippi who has been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley on June 14, 2026.

Community advocates and social media posts have identified Foster as the officer who fired into a vehicle during a response to a shoplifting call, though state authorities have not officially confirmed his identity as the shooter. The incident occurred at a Walmart parking lot where officers allegedly mistook the car containing the child and his family for suspects fleeing the scene; the child was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

  • Allegations: Foster is linked to the shooting by community members, including Marquell Bridges, who alleged Foster had a prior complaint filed against him for using racial slurs.
  • Investigation: The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is leading the probe, with findings to be reviewed by the state attorney general’s office.
  • Conflict: There are conflicting accounts between the MBI, which stated the driver drove toward officers, and the child’s mother, who claimed she was showing police the child and that officers fired multiple shots.
  • Legal Action: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has announced he will represent the Wiley family.






 
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New Florida law labeling gang members
www.clickorlando.com

Are you a ‘gang member?’ This new Florida law expands what it means

A new Florida law was passed this week, and it brings new meaning to what constitutes a “gang member.”
www.clickorlando.com www.clickorlando.com


Are you a ‘gang member?’ This new Florida law expands what it means​

HB 536 takes effect on Oct. 1​






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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new Florida bill was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week, and it aims to bring a new meaning to what constitutes a “gang member.”

The bill — HB 429 — was originally filed all the way back in November, and it amends an existing law that defines what it means to be a “criminal gang member.”

Current law says that a criminal gang member is someone who meets at least two of the following 11 criteria:

  • Admits to criminal gang membership
  • Is identified as a criminal gang member by a parent or guardian
  • Is identified as a criminal gang member by a documented, reliable informant
  • Adopts the style of dress of a criminal gang
  • Adopts the use of a hand sign identified as used by a criminal gang
  • Has a tattoo identified as used by a criminal gang
  • Associates with one or more known criminal gang members
  • Is identified as a criminal gang member by an informant of a previously untested reliability and such identification is corroborated by independent information
  • Is identified as a criminal gang member by physical evidence
  • Has been seen with one or more known criminal gang members at least four times
  • Has authored any communication indicating responsibility for the commission of any crime by the criminal gang
[RELATED: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs new crime laws in Winter Haven]


But under SB 536, the following criteria would also be added to that list:

  • Admits in person or online that he/she is a criminal gang member
  • Is identified or claimed by a criminal gang as one of its members
  • Is identified as a criminal gang member by a spouse living with the person
  • Has been seen with one or more known criminal gang members at least two times
  • Has authored any communication indicating gang affiliation or activity, or accepted responsibility for the commission of any crime by a criminal gang member
  • Uses gang-related language in furtherance of criminal gang-related activity online
The legislation comes after Polk County deputies arrested five robbery suspects last year, who were later linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua.

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Alexis Jose Rodriguez-Benavides, Darwins Smith Vasquez Leon, ldemaro Miguel Escalona Mendoza, Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, Samuel Oglis David Anthony Charle. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
Florida law holds enhanced penalties for crimes committed for the benefit of criminal gangs and their interests, meaning that crimes committed by gang members may result in even harsher sentences.

That said, the current rules don’t actually prohibit people from joining gangs, and this law doesn’t change that fact.

That said, state Sen. Jonathan Martin — who filed a similar bill — argued earlier this year that such legislation is necessary to keep up with evolving trends.

“Gangs today look a lot different from 20 years ago,” he stated during a committee meeting in March. “Modern gangs operate through social media, encrypted messaging, and online recruitment. Gangs no longer use traditional markers: colors, hand signals, fixed territories like certain street corners.”

HB 429 is now set to take effect on Oct. 1.



 
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