Community activists demand action after Davis Moturi was allegedly shot by neighbor John Sawchak
MINNEAPOLIS — Community activists are demanding action a week after Davis Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor while doing yard work outside his south Minneapolis home.
The man, identified as John Sawchak, is charged with four counts: second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault with the intent to inflict great bodily harm, stalking and harassment.
"The leadership of both the mayor and police chief are not acceptable of reforming Minneapolis police the way they must be reformed," said Michelle Gross, Communities United Against Police Brutality president.
The shooting happened after months of harassment, nearly 20 police reports and several arrest warrants out for Sawchak.
Officers finally took the accused shooter into custody Monday following a high-stakes standoff five days after the shooting.
"The fact that a man could shoot his neighbor and sat in his house for five days with no repercussions is unacceptable," Gross said.
Community activists called for the city's top leaders to step down during Thursday's council meeting.
Last week, Police Chief Brian O'Hara said they were playing it safe, waiting to arrest the suspect where he would be least likely to have access to firearms.
During a press conference Monday after Sawchak's arrest, Mayor Jacob Frey said he stood by the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department.
In a statement, O'Hara promised a "full review" and to implement changes, adding, "This is the least we can do in the ongoing effort to become the department the community demands."
Communities United Against Police Brutality demands:
- An independent third party to investigate how MPD handled the matter
- The city to immediately pay for Moturi's medical bills
- O'Hara to be fired
"Mayor Frey supports the post-incident review of this tragic incident. He extends his condolences to the victim, his wife, and their family and friends," a statement from the mayor's office responding to those demands said. "Brian O'Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief."
Activists from Communities United against police brutality and CAIR Minnesota interrupted the city council meeting on Thursday, even speaking after some members of the council left for a brief recess.
The council unanimously approved a resolution of its own, calling for the city auditor to conduct a post-incident review about the city's involvement with the incident.
Activists, however, say it's not enough.
"We want equal justice under the law and equal treatment under the law, and we want Black families to be treated with dignity, not to be reminded that city sees Black families and Black people as being inferior," said activist Nekima Levy Armstrong. "We are not inferior. We are equal. We contribute to this city."
Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette said during a press conference Thursday that he is fully committed to having an independent review of the incident. He added that he will not fire O'Hara.
"I know that we've lost some trust with [the community] because of this incident," Barnette said.
"I think that one of the things again that we need to look at is the situation in its totality," Barnette said, on the topic of why it took so long to respond to Moturi. "Internally, we're trying to make sure that we're better to these types of responses."
A spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released a statement after the city council meeting, which reads in full:
Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow.
The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community.
Brian O'Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.