Man Accused of Shooting Neighbor Who Was Trimming Tree

John Herbert Sawchak has been arrested for allegedly shooting his neighbor, Davis Moturi, in Minneapolis.

At a Glance

John Herbert Sawchak was charged with attempted murder, stemming from a shooting on a shared property line.
The alleged shooting followed a history of intimidation and harassment by Sawchak against Moturi.
Davis Moturi sustained critical injuries from a bullet lodged near his spine.
MPD cites safety concerns and the suspect’s mental health as reasons for delayed actions.

Incident Overview

John Herbert Sawchak faces charges of second-degree attempted murder after allegedly shooting his neighbor, Davis Moturi, while he was trimming a tree on their property line. For nearly a year, Moturi experienced intimidation and harassment from Sawchak, who allegedly used racial slurs alongside threats of violence. This pattern of behavior allegedly culminated in a violent confrontation that left Moturi with life-altering injuries, including a bullet near his spine.

Despite multiple reports from the Moturi family and outstanding warrants against Sawchak, he avoided arrest until after the shooting. The Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) acknowledged 19 reported incidents, encompassing racial and violent threats, and have come under scrutiny for their alleged inaction. Furthermore, Sawchak’s arrest was delayed by concerns regarding his mental health and the potential risk he posed to officers attempting to apprehend him.

Law Enforcement and Community Reaction

The police department defended its approach, emphasizing the heightened risk due to Sawchak’s access to firearms and his diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder. MPD Chief Brian O’Hara stated, “We’ve been working to arrest the suspect in this case since at least April when harassment charges were first declined by the county attorney and then filed with the city attorney.” While the suspect has since been arrested, reports cited significant concerns about how long it took to bring Sawchak into custody.

The incident sparked outrage within the community, with local leaders questioning the efficacy of current police response protocols. City council members and residents expressed their frustration over the extended lack of protective action. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.came out over the weekend and expressed his regret in the wake of the incident, saying, “We failed this victim. He should not have been shot.”

According to police, John Herbert Sawchak is now being held on charges of second-degree attempted murder, as well as others. https://t.co/rtW6xQxfct

— KSTP (@KSTP) October 28, 2024

Support and Recovery for the Victim

In light of the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was created to assist Davis Moturi with his recovery as he remains hospitalized with severe injuries, including a fractured spine and broken ribs. Emotions are running high as Moturi, reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, said, “Hopefully we can get something going because it’s clear that me calling everybody and anybody hasn’t really done much,” he said. He indicated he is hopeful this will lead to justice.

“Not only for me but there’s other people around the neighborhood who have been victims,” Moturi said.

The case remains a focal point for discussions about the balance between mental health issues, community safety, and systemic accountability. As legal proceedings against Sawchak move forward, the outcome may prompt meaningful reforms to prevent such tragedies from recurring.