MINNEAPOLIS (CNN) – The Minneapolis police chief acknowledged his department “failed” to protect a city resident whose safety he had long feared.
The man, Davis Moturi, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound allegedly caused by a neighbor after a months-long escalating conflict that ended in a police call last week with gunshots.
City police are currently under scrutiny for their response and how long it took to make an arrest.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara acknowledged the department’s shortcomings, but also defiantly spoke about the public backlash, saying officers should have done something sooner.
Motulli, who lives in Minneapolis, has been filming numerous videos of his neighbor John Sawchuk since late 2023. He reportedly called police at least 19 times, detailing threats and harassment.
Police said last week that it escalated into a shooting.
“The bullet went through my neck and then went all the way back to my spine,” Moturi explained.
Warning: This video contains images that you may find disturbing.
O’Hara said the department had been trying to arrest Sawciak for at least six months, and that officers had been constantly monitoring him since the warrant was issued for Moturi’s shooting last Wednesday.
“We failed this victim 100 percent,” O’Hara said.
The chief added that Sawciak had known mental health issues, was likely armed, and that the police department was severely understaffed.
“We’ve been working hard to safely detain this individual, and that means getting him out of the house when he’s not near guns or other weapons,” O’Hara added.
On Sunday evening, police stopped waiting.
After hours of negotiations broke down, SWAT teams and special tactics units used a battering ram to smash the windows of Sawciak’s home.
Sawciak finally surrendered early Monday morning and was taken into custody.
John Sawchuk faces multiple charges including attempted murder, stalking, and harassment (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office).
He is charged with multiple charges including attempted murder, stalking and harassment.
Moturi says the result came after a cautious approach and should have come sooner.
“You have this bulletproof vest. You have professional training. If you’re scared, what does it do to me?” Moturi asked.
Before SWAT officers were sent in, the department used a behavioral intimidation team, a psychiatrist and Sawchuk’s family to urge Sawchuk to leave the house, O’Hara said.
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