In Minneapolis, a neighborly dispute over a tree turned violent when John Herbert Sawchak allegedly shot Davis Moturi, his Black neighbor, following months of harassment and racially charged threats. Sawchak, 54, now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, stalking, and harassment, after the incident on October 23 left Moturi with severe injuries and a bullet lodged near his spine.
Moturi had reportedly been dealing with escalating threats from Sawchak since moving into the neighborhood in 2023, with complaints ranging from racial slurs to death threats. Minneapolis police, now facing significant public backlash for failing to act sooner, are under scrutiny for what critics, including city officials, describe as negligence. Council members and Mayor Jacob Frey have expressed frustration with the police department’s lack of immediate action, highlighting a delayed response even after a warrant was issued for Sawchak’s arrest with a recommended bail of $1 million.
The shooting has intensified conversations about racial bias within the Minneapolis Police Department. Senator Omar Fateh has publicly criticized the department, calling for an independent investigation into why prior complaints and warnings went unaddressed. “This failure to protect a Black resident from being shot as the result of months of escalation,” Fateh stated, reflects persistent racial inequities within local law enforcement.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara admitted to shortcomings in the department’s handling of the case, saying, “We failed this victim.” He added that while officers had attempted to contact Sawchak, they had not anticipated that the situation would lead to violence. Sawchak ultimately surrendered after remaining inside his home for several days, turning himself in early Monday morning.
For Moturi and his family, the incident marks a painful outcome to months of what they describe as harassment that went unheeded. In statements to police, Moturi’s wife confirmed her belief that Sawchak had “almost certainly” shot her husband. Community members and local officials are now seeking answers on why preventive action was not taken, underscoring the need for reform in how such threats are addressed.
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