Attempted Murder of Derek Chauvin in Federal Prison
MINNEAPOLIS — The inmate who stabbed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in federal prison last week did so 22 times, with an improvised knife, according to recently filed criminal charges. He also admitted to corrections officers that he would have killed Chauvin had they not responded as quickly as they did.
The U.S. Attorney's Office identified the alleged perpetrator as 52-year-old John Turscak. He now faces charges of attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chauvin was badly hurt after he was stabbed in a federal prison one week ago; the charging documents indicate the stabbing happened in the law library at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona. Chauvin is currently serving his 22-year-old sentence there. The former police officer was convicted of killing George Floyd during an arrest in May 2020.
A WCCO source earlier this week said that Chauvin was hospitalized following the attack, but was said to be in stable condition.
Man Attacks Chauvin in Prison as Symbolic Connection to Black Lives Matter Movement
A man named Turscak has admitted to attacking former police officer Derek Chauvin in prison as a symbolic connection to the Black Lives Matter movement and the "Black Hand" symbol associated with the Mexican Mafia gang, according to prosecutors.
Attorney Not Listed, Turscak Remains in Custody
Court records do not list an attorney for Turscak, and he has represented himself in previous court matters while in prison. As of Friday, Turscak remains in custody.
Chauvin's Family Not Notified Promptly
Chauvin's attorney expressed frustration over the weekend, stating that his family was not notified of the stabbing until well after the news had already been publicized.
Possible Transfer for Chauvin
It is unclear whether Chauvin will be moved to a different federal prison following the attack. During his criminal proceedings, Chauvin's defense attorney requested that he be sentenced to a federal prison in or near Minnesota to be closer to his family. Visits at the Tuscon prison where the stabbing occurred are currently suspended.
FBI Leads Investigation
The FBI is leading the investigation into the stabbing, and the prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office district of Arizona in Tucson.
Second High-Profile Stabbing in Recent Months
Chauvin is now the second high-profile federal prisoner to be stabbed in recent months. Larry Nassar, who was convicted of molesting members of the U.S. women's national gymnastics team, was stabbed in a Florida federal prison in July.
