Activists against police brutality disrupted a Minneapolis City Council meeting Thursday to demand the firing of Police Chief Brian O’Hara, saying his department failed a black man who pleaded with police for help for months to no avail, until in then he was shot in the neck by his white neighbor.

John Sawchak, 54, is accused of shooting Davis Moturi, 34, even though two warrants had been issued for his arrest in connection with threats against Moturi and other neighbors.

Activists showed up at the council meeting and asked for time to talk about the case. Instead, the council backed down and activists took to the podium to criticize the city for failing black people, even as state and federal officials are forcing the police station in court-sanctioned monitoring due to prior civil rights violations.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, founder of the Racial Justice Network, said O’Hara must be held accountable.

“This is not the first instance where the community has raised concerns about his poor judgement, poor leadership, community blaming and apologies. It’s completely unacceptable for him to get away with this,” she said. “How many black doors have they kicked down for less?”

On Thursday, the council voted to ask the city auditor to review the city’s involvement and response to the issues between Moturi and Sawchak.

Mayor Jacob Frey released a statement in response, saying he supported the council’s call for an independent review of the case, but that O’Hara “will continue to serve as Minneapolis’ police chief.”

Protesters also questioned why the public had not heard from Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, who called a virtual press conference within hours to say he would not fire O’Hara and that management of the city supports him.