A Minnesota man, Davis Moturi, was shot in the neck by his neighbor, John Sawchak, while cleaning up his yard. Moturi, who is black, had been the target of racially charged threats from Sawchak for nearly a year leading up to the shooting. The incident was captured on surveillance footage and showed Moturi pruning a tree when he was struck by the bullet. Moturi claimed that Sawchak had used racially charged language towards him in the past, including calling him a “black bastard.” Despite reporting at least 19 incidents of threats, hate speech, and harassment to the police, no action was taken prior to the shooting.
Following the incident, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara admitted that the department had failed in preventing the shooting and should have responded much sooner to the escalating situation between the two neighbors. Moturi had reported that Sawchak had threatened to shoot him if he touched a specific tree on the property, which ultimately led to the shooting. Police were aware of Sawchak’s mental health issues and had been trying to arrest him for at least six months prior to the incident. A SWAT team, along with a special tactics unit, were finally able to take Sawchak into custody after breaking the windows of his home and entering the residence.
In response to the shooting, the community expressed outrage at the police response during a Minneapolis City Council meeting. The council passed a resolution requesting an independent review of the city’s involvement and delayed response to the attack. City Council Member Robin Wonsley expressed the importance of understanding why the lapse occurred and ensuring full accountability for any individuals or city policies that allowed it to happen. Sawchak now faces several charges, including attempted murder, stalking, and harassment. Prosecutors believe that race played a role in the crime, further highlighting the racial tensions surrounding the incident.
Moturi, while recovering in the hospital, emphasized the importance of calling the police for the safety of his family. A spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that the safety of residents is a top priority and that violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable in the community. Moturi’s experience has shed light on the need for better police response to threats and harassment, as well as the importance of addressing racial tensions in communities. The incident serves as a reminder of the impact of racially charged language and threats, and the need for swift and effective action from law enforcement to prevent violence.
