A Minneapolis man, John Herbert Sawchak, has been charged with attempted murder following an incident where he allegedly shot his neighbor, Davis Moturi, who is Black. The altercation reportedly began over an ongoing dispute involving a tree. Charges filed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office include attempted murder, first-degree assault, and felony harassment with enhancements for racial bias. Despite these charges and three active warrants, Minneapolis police have not yet detained Sawchak, sparking criticism from city council members.
According to court records, Sawchak allegedly fired a gun from his upstairs window, striking Moturi, who was pruning a tree on his property. This led to significant injuries for Moturi, including a fractured spine, broken ribs, and a concussion. Moturi’s wife, Caroline, recounted that her husband had been performing routine maintenance when the shooting occurred. Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that the police responded to the hospital when Moturi arrived, and the victim identified Sawchak as the shooter, citing previous threats about the tree.
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The delay in arresting Sawchak has been attributed to his reported mental health issues, including a diagnosed paranoid personality disorder. The police chief explained that Sawchak has a history of violent encounters with law enforcement, and past attempts to detain him have been met with resistance. Sawchak’s case has been ongoing since April, when harassment charges were initially declined by the county attorney’s office before later being filed. No officer has had direct contact with him since Moturi began making formal complaints.
Chief O’Hara stated that an arrest attempt within Sawchak’s residence is considered high-risk, as he is known to be armed and potentially violent. According to the chief, law enforcement is working to ensure that an arrest can occur outside his home to reduce the likelihood of escalation. Sawchak is described as a recluse who rarely leaves his home, complicating efforts to arrest him in a low-risk setting.
City council members, including Andrea Jenkins, Elliott Payne, Aisha Chughtai, Jason Chavez, and Robin Wonsley, expressed frustration over the lack of action, writing to Chief O’Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey about the need to protect residents from ongoing threats. Jenkins highlighted the necessity of removing violent offenders from the community, questioning the police’s apparent inability to detain Sawchak.
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Responding to these criticisms, Chief O’Hara refuted claims that the department lacks commitment to arresting Sawchak. He added that officers are apprehensive about situations where use of force could lead to professional repercussions. The Minneapolis Police Department, which faced scrutiny following a federal investigation after George Floyd’s 2020 murder, was found to have a history of excessive force and racial bias. This context has increased caution among officers regarding potential high-stakes encounters with suspects, particularly those with mental health issues.
Moturi, currently in the hospital, expressed frustration over the police response. He mentioned that he had repeatedly warned authorities about Sawchak’s threatening behavior, noting that he and his wife began to experience problems with their neighbor soon after moving into their home in September 2023. Initial disputes centered around a tree, but, according to Moturi, Sawchak’s behavior became more aggressive, involving racial slurs and other harassment.
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In response to escalating tensions, Moturi installed security cameras around his property to document Sawchak’s alleged actions, including attempts to damage the house, disrupt their sleep, and even threaten physical violence. Moturi recounted multiple confrontations, including an incident where he used pepper spray to defend himself from Sawchak and another encounter where Sawchak reportedly attacked him with a shovel.
Despite numerous calls and emails to law enforcement, Moturi and his wife say they received little support. Court documents detail Sawchak’s lengthy record of violent interactions, including verbal threats while brandishing a knife, attempts to hit neighbors with objects, and repeated violations of restraining orders. Since 2007, he has had 13 restraining orders filed against him, with the most recent filed by Moturi himself, citing repeated threats and aggressive behavior.
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These records illustrate a pattern of alleged aggression that has gone largely unpunished. In recent incidents, Sawchak reportedly wielded a firearm and a knife against neighbors, including the recent shooting that left Moturi hospitalized.
