A State Attorney's Office review says the Clay County Sheriff's Office used justifiable force in a Feb. 16 raid of a Middleburg meth lab shootout that ended with detective David White killed, another detective wounded and a dead suspect.
Ted A. Tilley's death was justifiable because the shots fired at him were "in immediate response to deadly force" he was using against the detectives, according to the review. It said all of the suspects, including Tilley, had meth in their systems when the shootings occurred.
Assistant State Attorney Stephen M. Nelson's review was released Friday by the sheriff's office. In a statement accompanying it, Sheriff Rick Beseler said Nelson's work "confirms what we knew from the beginning."
"The suspect was a clear, present and immediate threat to the lives of our members at the scene," Beseler said. "The detectives' use of force was not only justified but necessary. Under the influence of illegal drugs, armed with a .38-caliber revolver and refusing to obey lawful commands, the gunman who took detective David White's life left White's colleagues no choice."
Nine detectives and deputies went to the home in the 4800 block of Alligator Boulevard about 6:15 p.m. Detective Gary Lavaron knocked on the front door as the others announced their presence, while two more detectives and a sergeant took up position at the back door, the review states.
The front door opened, and Lavaron smelled an odor associated with a meth lab, the review states. The people inside acknowledged the authorities, at least one telling detectives to "go to someone else's house." Someone tried to shut the door and detectives forced their way in. As they did, Lavaron saw a shirtless white male run down a hall, "his right arm extended toward" them.
At the same time Lavaron heard gunshots coming from inside that appeared to hit near him, the review states. White was shot in the head and detective Matthew Hanlin in the arm.
Lavaron fired at the man as he ran out a back door. The detectives there saw a gun in his hand, one ordering him several times to drop it, the review states. Detective Andy McRea shot at the gunman several times.
The gunman was identified as Tilley, carrying a .38-caliber handgun, the review states. Meth was found in the home, as well as equipment to make it.
Ryan Christopher Wilder, 30, of Orange Park and Chasity E. Prescott, 35, and Jennifer S. Alder, 38, of Middleburg entered not-guilty pleas during a May arraignment on first-degree murder, according to court records. Jerry Fred Daniels, 16, pleaded not guilty to third-degree murder. All have pretrial hearings Aug. 30, according to court records.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
