READ the article! The city decided that easement was insufficient. They wanted a different/better/wider/longer/whatever sewer line access than the existing easement accommodated, so they gave his wife notice when he was at work the night before the early morning they planned to just show up and TAKE what they wanted.
Even if that's 100% true, it doesn't justify attempted murder. They weren't trying to abduct his children or rape his wife.
If that's accurate, and I mean the whole truth, which I doubt it is, he should have protested, allowed it to happen, and then sued their a$$ off, which is just what the court system is for.