Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara acknowledged a significant failure by his department following the shooting of Davis Moturi, allegedly by his neighbor, John Sawchak. During a press conference on Sunday evening, O’Hara expressed regret over the incident, stating, “We failed this victim. 100%, because that should not have happened to him.” This admission comes after Moturi had been in contact with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) for months regarding escalating harassment from Sawchak.
The shooting occurred on October 23 while Moturi was pruning a tree in his front yard. He is currently hospitalized with severe injuries, including a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion. The situation escalated after the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Sawchak with multiple offenses, including Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Stalking, and Harassment. Despite these charges, the MPD has not arrested Sawchak, prompting criticism from city officials and raising questions about the department’s response to domestic threats.
Escalating Tensions with City Officials
The Minneapolis City Council has been vocal in its criticism of the MPD’s inaction. A letter from the council highlighted that the MPD failed to execute a warrant requested by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, which included a substantial bail amount of $1 million. The council expressed frustration, noting that the MPD cited “officer safety” as the reason for not pursuing the arrest. O’Hara acknowledged that the department did not act with the urgency required in this case, citing staffing concerns as a contributing factor to the delayed response.
The chief’s comments come in stark contrast to remarks made earlier in the week, where he suggested that a potentially violent confrontation could lead to negative media portrayals of the minneapolis police. On Sunday, he clarified that his initial remarks were meant to address accusations of the MPD’s indifference towards the case. He stated, “This is the result of over-politicizing policing in Minneapolis,” emphasizing the complexities faced by law enforcement in sensitive situations.
Continued Deliberation on Arrest Strategy
As of now, the MPD plans to wait for Sawchak to exit his home for an arrest. O’Hara noted that options are becoming limited, suggesting that further escalation of the situation might be necessary. The dialogue between the city council and the police chief intensified over the weekend, with council member Emily Koski criticizing both O’Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their handling of the situation. In a statement, she claimed, “Our Chief of Police is hiding behind excuses, and our Mayor…is just hiding.”
On Sunday night, the Minneapolis Police confirmed that officers were actively attempting to take Sawchak into custody. The case continues to draw significant attention, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in managing domestic violence and community safety while navigating political pressures.
