In a contentious meeting, the Minneapolis City Council voted to reconsider MPD’s response to the Davis Moturi case

The Minneapolis City Council will direct the city auditor to conduct an independent investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department’s response to the yearlong harassment Davis Moturi experienced from his colleagues. neighbor who allegedly shot him in the back of the neck last week.

The vote passed during a tumultuous council meeting Thursday that was interrupted twice by protesters calling for the resignation of Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara over MPD’s delayed response.

John Sawchak, 54, was arrested Monday five days after he allegedly shot Moturi, his next-door neighbor, causing serious injuries. Prior to the shooting, Moturi had repeatedly reported Sawchak’s behavior, alleging that Sawchak had engaged in verbal and physical threats, racial harassment and assault against him since he and his wife moved to the 3500 block of Grand Avenue South in September 2023.

Following Sawchak’s arrest, MPD Chief Brian O’Hara announced that police would conduct a “post-incident review” of the shooting and its causes, apologizing to Moturi and his wife for “neglecting them.” O’Hara initially suggested that Moturi was partly to blame for the shooting because he was trimming the branches of a tree belonging to Sawchak that had encroached on his property.

“Based on the facts, we will implement changes that mitigate any identified weaknesses and institutionalize all necessary protocols to ensure the appropriate level of urgency, efficiency and effectiveness,” Chief O’Hara said. “It’s the least we can do in our ongoing effort to become the department the community demands and deserves.”

However, residents and council members are calling for an independent investigation into the department, citing the lack of response throughout the year Moturi spent reporting the escalating incidents to police.

On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council discussed the issue and voted to ask the city auditor to conduct an independent “After Action Review” of the city’s involvement and response to all incidents between Moturi and Sawchak.

The proposal passed unanimously and would require the review to be completed by June 13, 2025 and report to the City Council.

“Mr. Moturi’s life mattered, and I am sorry that MPD did not treat him this way for almost a year,” said District 2 Councilmember Robin Wonsley. “I know that my colleagues and I are committed to taking meaningful action for accountability and restoring health; “I hope some of it starts with this independent review.”

Ward 12 Councilmember Aurin Chowdhury noted during the discussion that the racial element cannot be ignored in this case. Moturi repeatedly reported to police that he was racially harassed by Sawchak, with in one instance in May he was allegedly called a “black bastard” by Sawchak and said, “I will kill you if you call the police again.” Despite these threats and two arrest warrants for Sawchak issued prior to the shooting, MPD was never arrested for his actions against Moturi prior to October 23.

“We need to be able to look at situations like this and be very clear and honest about the fact that there has been a serious systemic failure in the delivery of services by the Minneapolis Police Department,” Chowdhury said. “Many residents raise the issue that the racist nature of this situation cannot be resolved. The difference that exists between Black, Brown, and Indigenous residents calling for services and white residents.”

Before the motion was passed, protesters interrupted the meeting twice, calling for Chief O’Hara’s dismissal. The meeting was interrupted twice and the live broadcast was interrupted.

Despite this, screams from protesters could still be heard, with one protester saying, “Why are animals and other things more important than discriminating against a black man and his family like this?” in response to previous issues, such as the celebration of “National Cat Appreciation Day” before the agenda began.

Returning to the record, Council President Elliot Payne announced that the public will have time to submit representations during next cycle’s committee of the whole.

A spokesman for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office issued a statement responding to residents’ protests. Although Frey says that while he supports an independent opinion, O’Hara “will continue to be the chief of police in Minneapolis.”

Sawchak is currently in the Hennepin County Jail on $1 million bail on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder. His next hearing will be on November 25 at 9 a.m

Related: Neighbor’s shooting victim reflects on his hellish year and criticizes MPD’s lack of action