Derek Chauvin, the 47-year-old former Minneapolis police officer convicted of George Floyd’s murder, was stabbed by another inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, a federal prison located in Arizona. Following the attack, he was rushed to the hospital after receiving emergency life-saving treatments, as reported by the Associated Press.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among other inmates or prison staff, according to the New York Times. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an inmate was stabbed at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday but did not disclose the inmate’s identity. However, the Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office released a statement to multiple media outlets confirming that Derek Chauvin was the victim. The statement also mentioned that Chauvin was in stable condition at the hospital.
Forbes has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to obtain more details on the incident.
Background: Derek Chauvin was convicted in April 2021 on charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for his role in George Floyd’s death. He knelt on Floyd’s neck, a Black man suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill in Minneapolis, leading to Floyd’s tragic demise. Chauvin received a 22-year sentence for state charges and a 21-year sentence for federal charges, which he is serving concurrently. His actions ignited nationwide protests and a broader reckoning on racial issues. A 2022 investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights found a pattern of racial discrimination within the city of Minneapolis and its police department. Additionally, the Supreme Court recently denied an appeal of Chauvin’s conviction, rejecting claims of an unfair trial.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed sadness over the violence directed at Chauvin, emphasizing that, as a duly convicted individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or harm.
Noteworthy: The Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson has faced security challenges recently, primarily due to staffing shortages, according to the Associated Press.
Tangent: Derek Chauvin is not the only high-profile inmate to be attacked in a federal prison in recent months. In July, Larry Nassar, the former sports doctor convicted of sexually abusing numerous collegiate and Olympic gymnasts, was stabbed multiple times by another inmate in a Florida prison, as reported by the AP. The Federal Correctional Institution has experienced security incidents in the past. In November 2022, an inmate attempted to shoot a visitor using a contraband gun, but the firearm malfunctioned, resulting in no injuries, according to the AP.
Unknowns: Several details remain unclear, including the motive behind the attack, the identity of the suspect, and the extent of Chauvin’s injuries. It is also uncertain whether Chauvin will be relocated to a different facility or subjected to increased security measures. Prior to his transfer to the Arizona facility, he had been held in solitary confinement in a Minnesota prison for his own safety, as reported by the AP.”