Tarika Wilson

Tarika Wilson, 26, was shot and killed in her own home during a police drug raid in Lima, Ohio in January 2008; her one-year-old son was also shot and injured.

What happened

On January 4, 2008 Lima police officers raided a home looking for Tarika Wilson's boyfriend in a drug investigation. Tarika, who was not the target of the warrant, was upstairs with her children, including 14-month-old Sincere Wilson. Sergeant Joseph Chavalia fired into a darkened room after another officer shot at dogs during the raid; Chavalia said he believed the gunfire came from an armed attacker. Tarika was killed, and Sincere was injured in the shoulder and hand and later lost a finger. The raid prompted local anger, demonstrations and public criticism of police tactics in predominantly Black communities. Civil-rights groups argued the officer fired without identifying a threat and put a family in extreme danger.

Investigation & findings

Chavalia was charged with misdemeanor negligent homicide and negligent assault and was acquitted by a jury. The death of Tarika and injury to her child remain established regardless of that verdict.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records