In Minneapolis, a long-standing neighborhood dispute turned violent when 54-year-old John Sawchak allegedly shot his neighbor, 34-year-old, Davis Moturi, on October 23, 2024.
The incident escalated from a year-long feud, according to police and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Moturi was outside pruning a tree near their shared property line when he was allegedly threatened by Sawchak, who reportedly said:
"Touch my tree again and I’ll kill you,"
After the incident, Moturi survived but remains hospitalized, and was captured on surveillance video.
Early Monday, police blocked off streets near his Grand Avenue S. home as SWAT officers surrounded the property. Negotiators attempted to coax John Sawchak out, repeatedly urging him to communicate and reminding him of the serious nature of the situation.
When Sawchak didn’t respond, officers broke windows and used equipment to tear open parts of the home. Just before 1:30 a.m., he finally emerged, ending a tense five-hour standoff. He was taken into custody and held on $1 million bail, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
What is John Sawchak being charged with?
John Sawchak has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, stalking, and harassment. The conflict between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak began in October 2023, shortly after Moturi and his wife moved into their home.
She allegedly included nearly 20 instances of harassment, threats, and property damage. In the days following the shooting, Sawchak evaded police despite multiple arrest warrants.
In a GoFundMe page being organized by Caroline Moturi, she mentions that despite their repeated calls to the police and reports of violent incidents, they feel that authorities, including the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), have failed to take action, and that Davis’s race may be a factor in this neglect.
She mentions specific instances where John Sawchak tried to harm Davis, including with a gardening tool and a shovel, and recounts a distressing moment when officers didn’t act on an active warrant against Sawchak even after he restrained Davis in the presence of witnesses. Caroline wrote:
"Our neighbor attempted to attack Davis with a gardening tool while 10ft in the air doing house work on a ladder. On a separate instance John (our neighbor) chased him with a shovel. Despite these frequent acts of violence a warrant was only issued when I, his white wife, reported I was being verbally threatened... In addition Davis did manage once to physically restrain John when he was outside with other neighbors and witnesses present. 911 was called and officers arrived to the scene only for the officers to LET HIM GO despite there being an active warrant out for his arrest."
In her post she appeals to the public to express outrage and calls for accountability from the justice system, pointing out what she perceives as a systemic failure to protect Black men in similar situations. She writes:
"My husband is laying in a hospital bed from a gunshot wound in his neck, which traveled a downward trajectory to fracture T7 and 2 ribs. In addition he has suffered a concussion and had a chest tube inserted in his side to drain blood from his lungs... Due to the inaction of the MPD, once my husband is discharged from the hospital he will be unable to recover in the comfort of his own home. We have no idea as to when it will be safe to return home as the police continue to protect this man over the safety of the community."
Brian O’Hara, Minneapolis police chief, has apologized for failing to take action against John Sawchak sooner. In a statement, he said:
“We failed this victim 100%... And to that victim, I say I am sorry that this happened to you.”
Trending
The Minnesota Police Department is now under scrutiny for its delay in arresting John Sawchak and its constant inaction to Davis Moturi's year-long complaints.
Reply
