GoFundMe Launches For Davis Moturi, Minneapolis Black Man Shot By White Neighbor
Source: GoFundMe / GoFundMe
A GoFundMe page has been launched for Davis Moturi, the Black man who was shot by his neighbor who had been racially harassing him for months.
On Oct. 23, Moturi was shot in the neck by 54-year-old John Herbert Sawchak while he was pruning a tree. He was later rushed to the hospital, where doctors found the bullet lodged near his spine. Moturi was left with significant injuries, including a fractured spine and broken ribs.
Authorities said tensions between Sawchak and Moturi had been escalating for months, characterized by harassment and racially charged threats against Moturi. Police said Sawchak threatened Moturi on several occasions, warning him not to “touch my tree again” or he would “kill” him.
The GoFundMe, which has a goal of $50,000, was created by Davis Moturi’s wife, Caroline Moturi. The page was created to help Moturi and his family recover from the tragic incident.
“I wish I could say it’s hard to believe my family is going through this. Unfortunately, what has happened to my husband is one of many instances of a lack of justice for black men,” Caroline wrote in the GoFundMe’s description. “Shortly after moving in, our neighbor began harassing us, threatening us, and stalking us. Despite multiple calls to the police for help, we were consistently informed nothing could be done. At one point, an officer who responded to our distress told us to ‘just move out.’”
Moutri and his family had been dealing with Sawchak and his threats for a while.
According to a criminal complaint, the Moturi’s had experienced racist harassment from Sawchak since purchasing their house in September 2023. Below are some key points from the complaint:
- Oct. 11, 2023: Moturi approached Sawchak to discuss the tree on their property line. According to the criminal complaint, Sawchak became irate, yelling at Maturi and using “racially charged language.” Sawchak told Moturi that if he “touched” the tree, Sawchak would “take care of” him.
- March 1, 2024: Sawchak approached Moturi while working outside his house on a ladder. While verbally harassing him, officials said Sawchak told Moturi that he would put him in the hospital.
- May 28, 2024: Sawchak verbally threatened Moturi, calling him “a Black bastard” and telling him, “I’m going to kill you if you call the police again. All you people do is lie and commit crimes.”
- Oct. 8, 2024: Sawchak verbally threatened and screamed racial slurs at Moturi from his 2nd-floor window. Sawchak also, once again, brandished a knife from his window while threatening to kill Moturi.
According to CBS News, Sawchak was taken into custody early Monday morning. Sawchak was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, stalking and harassment for shooting.
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Davis Moturi will now have a long road of rehabilitation ahead of him as his family begins their long fight for justice.
“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,” Caroline wrote. ”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. My heart is broken. We aren’t safe in our home. I can’t bring myself to think of where we would be had the angle of the bullet been slightly different. My husband is alive with no thanks to the MPD or Mayor Frey. We will fight not only for the justice we deserve but also for the protection and safety of our community we cherish.”
If you would like to donate to help Davis Moturi and his family, click here.
SEE ALSO:
‘Stop With The Politics’: Minneapolis Mayor Blames City Council After Black Man Shot By Neighbor
White Man Who Shot ‘Black Bastard’ Neighbor For Trimming A Tree Finally Arrested