Minneapolis Police are facing backlash after records showed a man had called 911 dozens of times before he was shot last week by his neighbor.
Prosecutors have now charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
Former St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson tells WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman it shouldn't have take officers this long to make an arrest.
"My goodness, eight months this guy has been calling and, basically, it seems like begging the Minneapolis police to do something about this guy," Anderson said. "And nothing was done until he was shot. That's, that's unacceptable."
According to the charging documents Sawchak was reported to police at least 19 times since last year for issues such as vandalism, hate speech, and threats of physical violence.
Anderson also says Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara's initial response was sloppy.
"He goes out and says that, 'well, the victim precipitated some of this.' No. And, even if that's the truth, that's not something that you say. I'm sorry, unless you have all of the facts," Anderson explained.
According to court records, Sawchak already had 13 harassment restraining orders against him that go as far back as 2007.
Sawchack appeared flustered and angry on Tuesday in his first court appearance. Sawchak talked out of turn, and asked for restraining orders against his victim and other neighbors during his hearing, saying in part that he is squarely focused on the state of his now vacant home.
The judge set his bail at $1 million and he is due back in court on November 28 at 9:00 a.m. Chief O'Hara has promised a "full review" of the case.