Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of George Floyd's murder, being stabbed in prison has sparked discussions and reactions across the country. Chauvin, who is serving a lengthy sentence for his role in the tragic death of George Floyd, was attacked by another inmate at the Federal Correction Institution in Tucson, Arizona.
The incident occurred on Friday, around 12:30 p.m. local time, and Chauvin was reportedly seriously injured but remains in stable condition. While the Bureau of Prisons and the FBI confirmed an inmate was assaulted at the prison, they did not officially confirm it was Chauvin. The motive behind the altercation remains unclear at this time, and Chauvin's attorney has not commented on the incident.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed his concerns, saying, 'I am sad to hear that Derek Chauvin was the target of violence. He was duly convicted of his crimes, and like any incarcerated individual, he should be able to serve his sentence without fear of retaliation or violence.'
Chauvin's conviction in 2021 for the murder of George Floyd marked a significant moment in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality. He was sentenced to 22 ½ years in state prison and received an additional 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. Chauvin had been seeking to appeal his convictions, but the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected his appeal. He also attempted to overturn his federal civil rights conviction by claiming new evidence, which was filed earlier this month.
The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest, ignited nationwide protests and discussions about systemic racism, police reform, and accountability. In addition to Chauvin's conviction, three other Minneapolis officers involved in the incident were also convicted for their roles in depriving Floyd of his right to medical care.