Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted for the murder of George Floyd, was the victim of a stabbing incident in a Tucson federal prison. The assailant, John Turscak, a 52-year-old former member of the Mexican Mafia, reportedly stabbed Chauvin 22 times. Turscak, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for crimes committed during his tenure as an FBI informant, has been charged with attempted murder, assault with the intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in bodily injury.
Turscak allegedly planned the attack for months, choosing Black Friday as the day to carry out his assault. He reportedly told investigators that he selected this day due to its symbolic connection to the Black Lives Matter movement and the ‘Black Hand’ symbol associated with the Mexican Mafia criminal organization. The attack took place around 12:30 p.m. on November 24 in the prison’s law library.
Prison officers were able to subdue Turscak using pepper spray. Chauvin, who is serving a 22-year sentence for Floyd’s death, was rushed to a hospital for emergency medical treatment after prison employees performed life-saving measures on him. Turscak, during his interview with the FBI, waived his Miranda Rights and denied intending to kill Chauvin.
Turscak has a history of criminal activity. In 1997, he was convicted for crimes committed while working as an FBI informant against the Mexican Mafia. His work led to the indictment of 40 alleged mafia members and associates. However, during his time as an informant, he was involved in drug dealing, extortion, and authorized assault. He was eventually dropped as an informant and charged with racketeering and conspiring to kill a rival gang member.
Chauvin’s condition following the stabbing remains unknown. His attorney, Greg Erickson, stated that Chauvin’s family has not been able to communicate with him and are unaware of his current condition. Erickson said, “They say he’s stable, but he also could be stable but unconscious, we just don’t know.”