Consequences of Prohibition
Drug War Issues
Stop the Deadly SWAT Raids! Click Here to Sign the Petition
In the latest example of overzealous policing gone fatally awry, a member of a Lima, Ohio, police SWAT team shot and killed a young mother and wounded the child she was holding in her arms during a raid aimed at the woman's boyfriend, who was alleged to be selling drugs from the residence. Tarika Wilson, 26, was killed last Friday in an upstairs bedroom, shot twice by Lima police Sgt. Joseph Chevalia. Her one-year-old son, Sincere, was also shot, as were two pit bulls at the house. The child lost his left index finger, but his injuries are not life-threatening. One of the pit bulls was killed.
In the week since the incident, Lima police have failed to provide any details on what led up to the shooting, except to say they were executing a drug search warrant for Wilson's boyfriend, Anthony Terry. Terry was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of crack cocaine, which, along with marijuana, was found at the house.
Lima police did, however, engage in some preemptive apologetics. "This is a terrible situation that resulted from a very dangerous situation that occurs when a high-risk search warrant is executed," Lima Police Chief George Garlock said.
Garlock did not explain what made the search warrant "high-risk," nor did he explain why he sent a SWAT team to raid a home where officers knew children were present. In addition to her one-year-old, Wilson was the mother of five other children between 3 and 8 who lived at the house.
Officers tossed at least one stun grenade before charging the residence, but that explosion took place outside because officers knew children were present. "Because of the possibility that we had children in there, they were not lobbed inside," Garlock said.
Lima police have turned the investigation of the incident over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation because the shooting involved a Lima police officer. That investigation is expected to take several weeks.
By mid-week, the FBI announced that it was joining the investigation. But angry family and community members are not waiting for answers. A crowd of more than 300 people marched with family members from a community center to the home where the killing took place to express their outrage and from there to the police station.
"Remember that baby who is in a hospital and that woman laying on a slab being dissected because the Lima police overstepped their bounds," Brenda Johnson, executive director of the community center, told the crowd before the march began. Ms. Johnson said it was reckless for police to raid a home with so many children inside. "This time it was someone else's child," she said. "Next time it could be your child, your grandchild."
According to next door neighbor and Wilson cousin Junior Cook, police "broke down the door and started shooting." He also denied that Terry sold drugs from the house. "No one ever came and knocked on that door or bought drugs there," Cook said.
"Not all the police are bad. Some of them have children," Pastor Arnold Manley of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church told the crowd. "But the majority of the ones in Lima are."
Residents and community activists have vowed to march every Saturday until justice is done. On Monday, more than 200 of them showed up at a heated meeting with police officials and the city council to demand action.
"The man who shot her, he's not a suspect? What if that was me?" shouted Quintel Wilson, the victim's brother. "Where would I be? Locked up. No bond! Victim is the word here."
"We're going to see that justice is done," said Bishop Richard Cox, an official with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Councilman Tommy Pitts, chair of the council's safety services committee, said Lima police have long targeted blacks. "This comes as no surprise to me," he said about the shooting.
That the resort to heavily-armed, paramilitarized SWAT teams to do routine drug search warrants can result in civilian fatalities should come as no surprise to anyone who follows their use. In 2006, Cato Institute analyst Radley Balko produced an authoritative report on the topic, Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America, that showed dozens of cases of people killed or brutalized during such raids.
The raids continue despite little sign of public support for them. StoptheDrugWar.org (publisher of this newsletter) last October commissioned a Zogby poll that found that two-thirds oppose the use of SWAT-style teams in routine drug raids. Now, from Ohio, comes one more reason to oppose them.
Stop the Deadly SWAT Raids! Click Here to Sign the Petition
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.
Comments
Drug War and Ron Paul
Vote for Ron Paul. He will pardon and release all non-violent drug offenders.
In reply to Drug War and Ron Paul by Anonymous (not verified)
ron paul
and then he will deregulate industry and our planet will go to shit even more than it already has and economic injustice will flourish!. also, not everyone has enough money to move their families out of their state when it becomes jesusland.
In reply to ron paul by Anonymous (not verified)
RON PAUL and Jesus land
If you don't have the gonzolas to even post your name you don't have anything to say except trash!
Don't YOU realize that this country was founded on free enterprise not regulation, if you want someone to tell you when to sqat move to IRAN.
Ron H.
Find The Overlap
Once again I'm impressed by Radley Balko of the Cato Institute. I tend to be pretty far to the left on most issues, but there seems to be an increasing number of overlapping concerns on the right and the left. This is good news if it eventually brings the majority of the population to political unanimity. No matter where you stand it's important to at least look at the other side's opinions, and try to see things the way they do. It doesn't mean you have to agree with their perspective, but if you can get beyond their rhetoric you can think more clearly about working toward solutions.
I know this doesn't specifically address the outrage we feel about this raid, but I'm encouraged by the fact that 300 people in Lima, a small town in a conservative district of Ohio were motivated to speak their minds. Let's see if we can increase that number both locally and nationally.
D. Witt
Leave the Pot people alone
Go after the drugs that KILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In reply to Leave the Pot people alone by Anonymous (not verified)
leave everyone alone
No, leave everyone alone! Education, treatment, prevention, harm reduction to help with other drugs' problems - not prohibition!
David Borden, Executive Director
StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network
Washington, DC
http://stopthedrugwar.org
In reply to leave everyone alone by borden (not verified)
education, prevention harm reduction
We are now pouring more money into education than ever before. We are implementing more "programs" than ever before, and yet drug crime is still on the rise, as well as the crime associated with it. How did the the Spartans, who were outnumbered almost 12-1 by the helots they ruled, continue to rule without uprising? They killed them and made sure that they were afraid of them so there wouldn't be an uprising. Before anyone gets themselves in a bunch and gets cranky, let me explain. If we would empty the jails and prisons of murderers and rapists IMMEDIATELY, and criminals saw how the U.S. takes action IMMEDIATELY, to protect lawful members of society, that would be a massive deterrent. Would it affect drug dealers, absolutely, they would realize that the crime that comes with drugs just is not worth the risk. I'm sure there'll be plenty who oppose, but that's fine, you're free to do it.
Oh for goodness sake.
Oh for goodness sake. Atleast do soem reserach before you print these stories. you have left much out of this report. I live in Lima, Ohio and have for 55 years. First of all, this was immediately turned over to BCII and the FBI as well as an out of area prosecutor.
Second, the man they were after was a known drug dealer who had previously tried to use deadly force against police officers. He and the woman that was killed had both been in prison on drug charges. She had 6 illigitimate children by various men living in what she knew was a drug selling enviornment. The home had 2 pit bulls who had both had their vocal cords removed.
Now as for the cop. He is a 31 year police veteran who has been on the SWAT team for 22 years. This was the first time he ever fired his weapon at work. You want to tell me you think you know everything there is to know about this incident? Its good you think you know all that becuase no one seems to have all the information you have. the Ohio Attorney General (Mr. Dann) was here the other day giving us some updates over this situation.
Now, what do you think of a mother who uses her own child as a human shield?
Your comments about mr. Pitts are laughable. trust me when I tell you that most lima residents are embarrased over this sorry excuse of a city councilman. He has two sons who are both currently in prison for being drug dealers. He is a complete moron!!
In reply to Oh for goodness sake. by Anonymous (not verified)
Shooting
you must be white, I lived in Lima also, my perception of Lima is a little differnt than yours.
In reply to Shooting by Anonymous (not verified)
Say what?
What difference does the color of his skin make? This article had not even 1/2 of the facts. Lima is a shit-hole largely because of people with no regard for the law. It doesn't matter what color your skin is.
In reply to Oh for goodness sake. by Anonymous (not verified)
Why didn't the police say any of this then?
If any of these claims about Ryan Frederick and his partner are true, why didn't the police come out with them in the media?
David Borden, Executive Director
StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network
Washington, DC
http://stopthedrugwar.org
Easy solution
I agree, no more SWAT raids. But first, YOU must tell all drug dealers to not own any weapons and that when the police come to their door to arrest them, they will politely answer, surrender and show the police where the drugs are hidden. EASY as that. Better yet, don't deal friggin drugs, get a real job thus keeping you and your family out of danger.
Jay
David............... David! This is a promblem across the nation! Why don't we ever here about these kind of killing on meth lab drug raid? This only happen on the crack raids. This is really a promblem in the black community and people like you never want to speak the truth. The same thing happened in Atlanta, with 92 year old woman that didn't have nothing to hide behind nor did she have drugs. Explain to me why the cops planted drugs and called an informant to lie for them that he brought drugs the house . Another case where people like you protect dirty cops........face it.
jay
[email protected]
Lima Shooting
Did anyone ever consider that this happened due to the choice in her baby daddies. I have read that all of her children have drug dealers as fathers. If she didn't want the cops to come after her, why did she continue to hang around these type of people. I'm sorry but just like the case in Indianapolis, this is what happened. Why did the cops have her address on the warrant if they wanted this guy? I have read that pitt bulls were in the house? Did she or someone sic the dogs on the cops? I'm sorry I have no sympathy for any one who willingly live this type of life.
In reply to Lima Shooting by Anonymous (not verified)
TO THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL
AN INNOCENT CHILD WAS SHOT WHY? THE QUESTIONS IS WHY IS AN UNARMED PERSON SHOT & KILLED & A CHILD WHO HAPPENS TO BE 1 YEAR OLD IS SHOT AS WELL. YOU HAVE NO SYMPATHY? WE DO HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THIS COUNTRY, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THERE LIFESTYLE THE CHILD DESERVES BE SHOT? I DON'T THINK SO
In reply to TO THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL by Anonymous (not verified)
Come on now...
No one is even remotely suggesting that the child deserved to be shot. The fact remains though that the parents of the child put him in that position. Not the police. If you want to get angry, get angry at the crack whore mother with 6 children from 5 men and a lengthly drug rap sheet who used her infant as a human shield. Let the blame rest squarely on her shoulders or the shoulders of the father who sold drugs from the very same home that there were 6 children in.
In reply to Lima Shooting by Anonymous (not verified)
hold on...
In reply to Lima Shooting by Anonymous (not verified)
hold on...
shooting
this makes no sense,what would have happend if he would have killed the baby??? there is a right way and a wrong way and that clearly was the wrong way.It always happens and some self righteous sob defends a bad cop like that may he burn in hell,police make and break the laws all the time and any person with eyes see this everday and shame on those cowards who chose this profession as a means to bully people it used to be serve and protect now its shoot and break necks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In reply to shooting by Anonymous (not verified)
It happen for a reason
My house has never been raided by the police, much less a SWAT team, you care about kids??? Don't sell drugs!!! Both were felons and deemed, the public needs to wait a minute or two and think before they open ignorant mouths.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It didnt have to go that way and the SWAT TEAM knows that. They could of solved it better. Now there is somebody dead and one injured. The injured could of been worst. They should of did Better. They knew she had kids so the should of handle it better. Nobody should have never got hurt. Justice needs to be done now. Thats not right that baby could of died. Thanks to the SWAT TEAM. They should think before they act.
In reply to THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Anonymous (not verified)
You CAN'T be serious...
You mean to tell me that no blame should be on the drug dealers? The POLICE should have done better. The POLICE should think before they act. You make me want to vomit. How about this for a novel idea. Don't do drugs. How about that? If you don't poison yourself and those around you with drugs there will be no reason for a SWAT team to have to come to your house. Grow up.
In reply to You CAN'T be serious... by Anonymous (not verified)
I'm in shock!!
You must be a member of this police department or a police department such as this one and full of dirty cops!! Yes... This couple made bad choices. However, so did the SWAT TEAM!!! In fact, the SWAT TEAMS choices were way worse then those this couple made!! They shot a child that they knew was in the house with 5 other children!! That's senseless and cold hearted! The mother did not deserve to be shot and killed! No one should have been shot!! The police department should have went about this in a different way... Maybe caught the guy when he was leaving the home! The did not throw the granade in the home because there were children in the home... They should have thought about those children when this pussy of an officer went inside shooting at a female holding a child!! Now he has to live the rest of his life with those thought... I hope he is haunted by his choices..... I hope this is eating him up!! Coward!!!
In reply to I'm in shock!! by Shocked (not verified)
raid
The elephant in the room is everyone knows they could have picked him up at walmart, or work, or getting his groceries. That raid crap is only for the cops to get off on. I was in the infantry, surprise is the best tool in the kit. When he gets his mail, have a goon walking a police dog taser him. Adios muchachos.
Do it again every day and twice on sunday!
I'm not white but I don't live in Lima, I live in Dayton, born and raised. Iâve also have lived in Atlanta and Houston after I left the military where I was an Infantry Officer for 4 years.
People are so quick to jump on the band wagon with out knowing the full story about something, and guess what it usually takes a long time for the full story to come out anyway. Protestors and just generally ignorant people are so quick to jump on a police shooting every time the fire their weapon and then the race card comes out. But black people shot black people more than white on black. The same goes for white on white. "Bad guys", drug dealerâs murders will not hesitate to fire at John Q Public or the police. Police are trained and expected to make split second decisions on life or death for the bad guy and themselves. And I'd say 9.5 times out of 10 they are correct. I would say most officers would hesitate in the same situation and get killed them selves.
You sell drugs, you do bad things, you put yourself and your family in a dangerous situation. You people want safe streets and want to take walks at night and want to go where ever you want, when you want. You want to be able to send your kids down the street without them being in danger, but you don't know what that takes defiantly arenât willing to take measures yourselves to insure it can happen.
It takes milk toast, head turning the other way people to actually do the work to make change (Become a Cop, Run for Office) or just take a stand and cooperate with the authorities. You're scared to "snitch", youâre scared to confront the bad people your self. But when it gets to the point when some actually does you want to second guess and critique. Shut up! If you are not part of the solution, you part of the problem in some way. You don't like the copâs way of doing things, go start making some citizens arrests. You apply for the police department; send you kids to school and start pushing the FBI or ATF on them so you know some is doing it the "right way".
My thinking is she and the boyfriend were in the wrong period and so they put the kids in a dangerous position. But I still expect that house to be raided and my community to be cleaned up. You people cater more to the criminals than the people that are trying to keep you and your own family safe.
Major
[email protected]
lima shooting
Very well put indeed Major.
This woman was executed!!!
When someone is on their knees in compliance and you shoot them, that is called an EXECUTION STYLE MURDER!!!
I have a question for you!
WHY DIDN'T THE COPS KILL THE BOYFRIEND WHO "ALLEDGEDLY" HAD THE DRUGS!
ALSO, ITS SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE SHOOTER WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY CLOSE TO HER AND THEREFORE COULD CLEARLY SEE SHE WAS ON THE GROUND HOLDING CHILD!!!
I really wonder about these folks who say this is ok. Apparently they have NO PROBLEM with the cold-blooded murder of women and children because they do not like the choices that these women made in mate selection!
If this is the case then who lot of women and children in this nation deserved to be shot and killed!!!
In reply to This woman was executed!!! by Anonymous (not verified)
This woman was executed!
Sorry about the typos. The last sentence should read:
If this is the case, then a whole lot of women and children in this nation deserve to be shot and killed!!!
Major, You said it all.
Major,
You said it all.
Didn`t have to happen that way
The police and SWAT are very well trained in what they do and how to do it. This case is only one of MANY like this where somebody is killed when they shouldn`t have been. It doesn`t matter what her background is or how many children she has from different daddy`s or even the color of her skin. A police officer should NOT fire his weapon unless he is in danger for his life like when they SEE a "SUSPECT" holding a weapon. Way too many innocent people are getting ruffed up,hurt,and even killed for something they had nothing to do with. Because the police had the wrong information or the wrong address. There is no war inside this country.USA so there is no reason to respond as if they are in a war situation. For those of you who don`t believe the police did anything wrong,just think of it this way. What if it was YOUR home that SWAT raided by mistake and killed your dog or a family member? SOME cops are out of control and need to be realed in BEFORE things like this happen. Also,cops are very well trained on how to shoot their weapons and have to qualify regularly,so have you ever wondered why EVERY person who gets shot by a cop is killed? Or why 5 cops have to put 30 rounds into a person at point blank? Things have gotten out of control in the USA and it is scary when the police are part of the problem. I have a few cops as friends and I know they have a very stressful job at times,but doing your job with honor is what earns you respect,not killing unarmed people and most of all children.
DRUGS BRING DEATH
why was the swat team there? because there was drug traffic through this house day and night. this city has been knocked to its knees because of all these gangsta wannabe's. take a ride through town, and you will see kids from 5 to 15 wearing their pants around there knees, shouting obcenities, and being confrontational to people walking and driving by. its a shame that there are so called "parents" that act in this manner and allow their kids to do the same. maybe the parents of the parents are to blame. they run the block with no parental guidance whatsoever. you see toddlers playing outside by themselves on the sidewalk with out supervision. teach your kids to make better decisions for themselves and watch over them, maybe the swat team wont have to take them to jail or worse!! yes its a shame that someone was killed and a toddler was shot, but theres a reason why Jessie says: " DRUGS BRING DEATH" !!!
Add new comment