Grand jury hears evidence in Lima Police shooting case: Black Mother of 6 Gunned Down in No Knock Police Raid

LIMA — Police Sgt. Joe Chavalia, identified as the officer who fatally shot a mother of six during a SWAT drug raid, was one of 20 Lima police officers called before the grand jury this week, Chief Greg Garlock said.

Whether Chavalia testified or invoked his constitutional right against self incrimination, Garlock said he did not know. The chief also did not know how many of the 20 officers actually testified since it is common for more officers to be called than actually testify, he said.

Tarika Wilson was shot to death on Jan. 4 iwhen the Lima Police Department's SWAT team raided her Third Street home, using a "no-knock" search warrant. Her 1-year-old son, Sincere, also was shot but survived. Police were after her boyfriend, Anthony Terry, who was also inside the house. The Lima chapter of the NAACP called for the indictment of all officers involved in the Jan. 4 raid of a woman's home during which she was shot and killed by a city police officer.

"If I commit a crime, and five of my friends are with me, I'm getting charged, they're getting charged, bottom line," said Lima's NAACP President Jason Upthegrove.

Her boyfriend, Anthony Terry, was arrested on drug charges during the raid, but no public explanation has been given describing how Sgt. Joseph Chavalia came to fire his gun.

Garlock said he did not know whether Special Prosecutor Jeffrey Strausbaugh’s presentation of evidence to the grand jury is complete. Garlock said officers who were asked to testify Wednesday and Thursday included most if not all of the SWAT team members who conducted the raid. Also asked to testify were officers from the PACE unit conducting the drug investigation and officers who responded to the scene, he said.

“I don’t even know if they are finished. I do know the officers subpoenaed from our department are done testifying,” he said.

Garlock said Chavalia stopped by the department Wednesday after he was called before the grand jury.

The chief said he has no information on what transpired with the grand jury.

“I’m anxiously awaiting the outcome as is everybody else,” he said.

Repeated attempts to reach Strausbaugh on Thursday were unsuccessful.

No indictment or any other public record was available Thursday that would indicate an outcome in the police shooting.

The shooting has divided the community and has some fearful that rioting could take place if Chavalia is not charged.

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann has said if charges are warranted, they likely would be along the lines of negligent homicide or manslaughter. There also could be charges in connection with the wounding of the baby.

Garlock said he doesn’t anticipate civil unrest but does have a plan in place that would include calling in additional officers should they be needed. Sheriff Dan Beck also said he doesn’t anticipate civil unrest but his agency was prepared if deputies needed to respond.

Lima NAACP President Jason Upthegrove said he is awaiting the outcome like everyone else. No matter what happens, Upthegrove urged people to remain calm. He said the matter is far from complete with the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice investigating.

Upthegrove also said Wilson’s death was not an issue of race.

“This isn’t about the black community against the white community. This is about whether a crime was committed,” he said.

Lima 5th Ward Councilman Tommy Pitts said he anticipates charges will be filed, but is waiting like everyone else. He also urged people to remain hopeful and calm, even if they’re unhappy with the grand jury’s decision.

“I believe we will see justice served on behalf of the Wilson family,” he said.

Both Pitts and Upthegrove said they would like to see some high-level felony charge filed against Chavalia.

Lima Mayor David Berger issued a written statement saying: “The city of Lima appreciates the fact that the grand jury process takes time. When they are done, and as soon as it is legally possible after that, it is my strong and urgent desire that the details of this investigation be made public.” Members of the Black Baptist Ministerial Alliance said they would release a statement as soon as the grand jury has a decision. [MORE] and [MORE]