Ohio Officer Aquitted After Shooting Mother and Child

 
Lima, Ohio, Police Sgt. Joseph Chavalia shot and killed a 26 year old African American woman named Tarika Wilson (seen above), and wounded her 14 month old baby boy Sincere Wilson, all while in front of her 5 children. 

Reportedly, Sgt. Chavalia raided Wilson's home to arrest her companion Anthony Terry in a drug raid. Wilson hid in a bedroom closet with her children when Chavalia, open fired leaving her shot to death with bullets piercing her baby's shoulder and hand and requiring him to have a finger amputated.

This tragic incident occurred back in January, but due to the

graphic nature it garnered national attention from community activists and civil rights leaders who spoke out about the racial implications within the case. 

Sgt. Chavalia was acquitted by an all white jury, but US Justice Department officials stated that civil rights charges could be brought against him. The 31 year old veteran (seen-r) was placed on paid administrative leave.

Black people residing in Lima, Ohio, complain that rogue police officers regularly stop them without cause, point guns in their faces, curse them, and physically abuse them. Apparently, the shooting of Ms. Wilson is the latest example of a long running pattern of white police officers who treat African Americans as people that should be feared.

“There is an evil in this town,” said C. M. Manley, 68, pastor of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. 

“The police harass me. They harass my family. But they know that if something happens to me, people will burn down this town.” -New York Times

The next day 300 hundred people gathered in front of Wilson's house where the scene of the crime took place and marched 2 miles to City Hall by foot.

Above right a note from the community is placed on the door of Tarika Wilson which reads: From Our Community, you might never accept us. You might never believe that we are all created equal. But until you learn of these things: You will respect us!!

~Photo seen above-l by J.D. Pooley~

2008 LA