Minneapolis Police Acknowledge Failings After Shooting of Black Man
Minneapolis police have issued a formal apology for their inadequate response to repeated complaints of harassment by a local Black man, Davis Moturi, who was shot by his white neighbor. The incident occurred last Wednesday while Moturi was tending to his yard, resulting in serious injuries including a fractured spine and broken ribs.
Chief Brian O’Hara addressed the media alongside Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday, expressing regret for the department’s handling of Moturi’s situation. “We failed this victim 100%,” O’Hara stated, adding, “And to that victim, I say I am sorry that this happened to you.”
The shooting incident followed a troubling history of complaints lodged by Moturi and his wife against their neighbor, John Herbert Sawchak. Since moving into their home in 2023, the couple contacted law enforcement at least 19 times to report acts of vandalism, harassment, and threats, all characterized by racist language, according to court documents.
Despite having obtained multiple warrants for Sawchak’s arrest related to these complaints, police claims that he “actively evaded [them] during prior attempts to contact or arrest him” resulted in no action being taken. Chief O’Hara described Sawchak as a recluse who made it difficult for law enforcement to apprehend him.
On the day of the shooting, as Moturi used a chainsaw to prune a tree bordering his property, Sawchak allegedly shot him from an upstairs window. The tree, which Sawchak had planted with his mother, became a focal point in the dispute between the two neighbors.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Hennepin County Attorney’s office charged Sawchak with multiple offenses, including attempted murder and first-degree assault. The charges highlighted the racial motivation behind Sawchak’s actions.
Criticism of the police response grew louder as details emerged. Local officials expressed outrage over the department’s failure to act sooner. Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh released a statement emphasizing that the police’s decision to delay action in this case starkly contrasted with their swift response in other situations involving Black individuals. “We must hold law enforcement accountable and ensure our public safety policies prioritize community wellbeing over convenience,” Fateh remarked.
O’Hara acknowledged the shortcomings of his department, citing issues such as mental health concerns regarding Sawchak and an understaffed police force as complicating factors. He emphasized, however, that the officers’ hesitance to engage was also influenced by fears of potential legal repercussions if a situation escalated.
Despite the controversy, Mayor Frey offered support to O’Hara and the police department following Sawchak’s arrest on Monday morning. “What we had tonight was an extraordinarily dangerous situation,” Frey stated, asserting that the officers acted appropriately under the circumstances.
Moturi was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, where he received treatment for his injuries. Sawchak is scheduled to appear in court on November 8, as the community grapples with the implications of this troubling incident and the police’s delayed response.