Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate at a federal prison in Arizona.
This incident occurred at the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, a medium-security prison known for its security lapses and staffing shortages.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the attack on Derek Chauvin took place at FCI Tucson, a medium-security prison known for its security lapses and staffing shortages.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Chauvin was stabbed by another inmate.
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The Bureau of Prisons confirmed the assault, stating that an incarcerated person was assaulted at around 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, prison employees swiftly responded and contained the situation. They also performed life-saving measures before transferring the injured inmate, whose identity was not disclosed, to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation. Fortunately, no employees were injured during the attack. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was notified of the incident, and visiting at the facility has been temporarily suspended.
Derek Chauvin’s defense lawyer, Eric Nelson, had previously expressed concerns about his client’s safety in prison. Nelson advocated for keeping Chauvin out of the general population and away from other inmates, anticipating that he would be a target. In Minnesota, Chauvin had been predominantly held in solitary confinement for his own protection.
Chauvin, 47, was transferred to FCI Tucson from a maximum-security Minnesota state prison in August 2022.
He is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence for violating George Floyd’s civil rights, in addition to a 22½-year state sentence for second-degree murder. Chauvin’s conviction came after he was found guilty of pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck for 9½ minutes, resulting in Floyd’s tragic death on May 25, 2020.
The stabbing of Derek Chauvin is not the first high-profile attack on a federal prisoner. In July, disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was also stabbed by another inmate at a federal penitentiary in Florida. These incidents raise concerns about the ability of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure the safety of its highest profile prisoners.
The Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages. In November 2022, an inmate at the facility’s low-security prison camp attempted to shoot a visitor in the head. Fortunately, the weapon misfired, and no one was injured. These incidents highlight the need for improved security measures and staffing levels at the prison.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in recent years, particularly following the alleged suicide of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2019.
The agency has been criticized for its inability to keep high-profile prisoners safe, as evidenced by the stabbing of Larry Nassar and the suicide of “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski.
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