Derek Chauvin.Photo:Minnesota Judicial Branch via AP
Minnesota Judicial Branch via AP
Officials have charged the federal inmate accused ofstabbing Derek Chauvin22 times with attempted murder.
On Friday, the United States Attorney’s Office stated that in addition to the attempted murder charge, John Turscak, 52, was also charged with assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury to the former Minneapolis police officer, 47, convicted of murderingGeorge Floydin May 2020.
George Floyd.Facebook
The incident happened last week at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, where Chauvin is currently serving a 22-year sentence.
PEOPLE reached out to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
According to a press release, Turscak used “an improvised knife” to carry out the attack.
“Attempted murder and assault with intent to commit murder violations each carry maximum penalties of 20 years’ incarceration, while assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury each carry maximum penalties of 10 years’ incarceration.”
Derek Chauvin mugshot.Minnesota Department of Corrections/AP/Shutterstock
TheAssociated Pressadded that Turscak told investigators that he attacked Chauvin on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as a symbolic connection to the Black Lives Matter movement and the “Black Hand” symbol associated with the Mexican Mafia gang, prosecutors said.
On Sunday, authorities said the former police officer was “expected to survive.”
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara and a spokesperson for state attorney general Keith Ellison’s office told PEOPLE in statements that Chauvin is on the mend.
“No employees were injured during the incident,” a statement from the Bureau of Prisons read following news of the stabbing. “Responding employees initiated life-saving measures for one incarcerated individual. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were requested while life-saving efforts continued."
source: people.com
