Minneapolis to review Lussier, Moturi cases



Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis city officials will receive a report Wednesday from the City Auditor about the death of Allison Lussier and the non-fatal shooting of Davis Moturi. Both incidents raised public anger and criticism of the Minneapolis Police Department.

The family of Allison Lussier has steadfastly maintained that they believe the 47-year mother had been killed by an abusive ex-boyfriend.

Lussier was found dead in her North Loop apartment in February of 2024. The initial Medical Examiner’s investigation into Lussier’s death focused on the possibility of a drug overdose.

That report listed the cause of death as an injury to her brain but listed the manner of death as “undetermined.”

Family members acknowledged Lussier struggled with substance use disorder but say that police investigators failed to investigate the multiple instances of domestic violence Lussier reported to police in the years leading up to her death.

The after-action review comes a week after Police Chief Brian O’Hara apologized to the family for mischaracterizing Lussier’s drug use.

The city auditor's independent review of the case is intended to identify issues with the police response to improve future policymaking and training.

MPD’s homicide unit continues to investigate the case.

In the fall of 2024, Moturi was shot by his neighbor.

It happened after months of asking the police for help, as that neighbor's harassment escalated.

John Sawchak, a white man, allegedly hurled racial slurs and death threats at Moturi, a Black man, who lived in fear for a year.

Moturi called the police at least 19 times leading up to the shooting.

But he says officers said they couldn't do anything unless Sawchack came out of the house.

"This man tried to kill me. And they're just like okay, well, here's a blue card,” he said. “You should just move. And it's like, wait, what? Like, he's trying to kill me. And you know, they just didn't care. And I know I didn't have the right complexion for protection"

After Moturi was shot and hospitalized, it took MPD about five days to arrest Sawchak.

Initially, Police Chief Brian O'Hara placed more blame on Moturi than his own department.

Eventually, O'Hara apologized and said MPD would conduct an internal investigation over the matter.

The results of that investigation have not been made public.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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