Federal agents investigate fire at police headquarters where officer fatally shot toddler
Senatobia Fire Department
An early morning fire damaged the headquarters of a Mississippi police department that has faced months of public outrage after an officer shot and killed a 1-year-old boy.
What we know:
The fire broke out just before 5 a.m. Saturday morning. Authorities say firefighters responded to reports of smoke inside the Senatobia Police Department building. Crews quickly knocked down the flames, but no official details have been released about the extent of damage.
What we don't know:
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but at this point, no cause has been released. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting local agencies with the investigation.
RELATED: Toddler killed, one injured after Mississippi officers fire at car
What they're saying:
The police department released a letter addressing the arson incident, asking for anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in or around the police department before or during the incident to come forward.
"Despite the damage to the building, the department continues to operate and provide police services without interruption. Public safety remains unaffected, and our officers remain committed to serving and protecting the community," the Senatobia Police Department said in a social media post. "We will share updates as more information becomes available."
The backstory:
The Senatobia Police Department has been under intense scrutiny since June after an officer fired into a vehicle during a shoplifting call at a local Walmart. The shooting killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley and injured another passenger in the vehicle.
RELATED: Watch: Bodycam video shows police shooting that killed 1-year-old Mississippi toddler
Dig deeper:
The fallout from the shooting has sent shock waves throughout the community. In the aftermath, the police chief at the time resigned, after reports of racist slurs he'd used in text messages. The officer involved in the shooting also resigned, though the Mississippi attorney general’s office cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing, saying his use of force was justified.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press, the Senatobia Fire Department and the Senatobia Police Department. This story was reported from Orlando.