FBI sends police-shooting case to U.S. Department of Justice

CLEVELAND - The FBI finished its investigation into the police shooting of an unarmed woman during a police drug raid and has turned the case over to the U.S. Department of Justice, an FBI spokesman said Tuesday.

The last piece of the investigation, which focuses on civil rights violations, was the acquittal of Lima Police Department Sgt. Joe Chavalia on Monday. Now it is with the department to review and submit a report to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Toledo, said Scott Wilson, an FBI spokesman.

The federal investigation will look into the Jan. 4 police shooting of Tarika Wilson inside her home at 218 E. Third St. Police were after her boyfriend, Anthony Terry. Wilson was killed and her 1-year-old son, Sincere, was wounded.

Scott Wilson did not have an estimate on a decision saying it depends on how many cases are under review. The department is reviewing cases from across the country, he said.

Wilson said he could not release the findings of the investigation because of the pending case.

The investigation was conducted at the same time state agents conducted their investigation that was presented at Chavalia's trial, Wilson said.

Derek Sells, an attorney who filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday for Wilson's family, said he will urge federal prosecutors to file a case against Chavalia.

"We don't understand how a trained police officer, such as Chavalia, could get away with shooting an innocent woman and shooting an innocent baby," Sells said.

Lima Mayor David Berger said a separate internal police investigation conducted by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office also will take place. Results of that investigation will be reviewed by Berger and Lima police Chief Greg Garlock, he said.