TUCSON, Arizona – A federal inmate has been charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of Derek Chauvin, formerly of Minneapolis police who was convicted of killing George Floyd. Prosecutors revealed that John Turscak stabbed Chauvin 22 times with an improvised knife in the law library of the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson. Turscak, 52, reportedly expressed intent to kill Chauvin but credited the quick response of correctional officers for preventing it.
During an interview with FBI agents, Turscak admitted to planning the assault on Chauvin for about a month, citing the high-profile nature of the inmate as the motive. Prosecutors further disclosed Turscak’s symbolic connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, stating that the attack took place on Black Friday, one day after Thanksgiving. The choice of date also aimed to align with the “Black Hand” symbol associated with the Mexican Mafia gang.
Notably, Turscak, who has represented himself in various court matters while in prison, did not have a listed attorney at the time of the court records. He remains in custody as of Friday. In contrast, Chauvin, 47, was transferred to FCI Tucson from a maximum-security prison in Minnesota, where he is serving simultaneous federal and state sentences for violating Floyd’s civil rights and second-degree murder, respectively.
Lawyer Eric Nelson, representing Chauvin, had previously sought to protect his client by advocating for his separation from other inmates. Nelson highlighted Chauvin’s vulnerable position in Minnesota, where he predominantly experienced solitary confinement for his own safety. Chauvin’s criminal conviction stemmed from the widely documented incident in which he pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for 9½ minutes, ultimately leading to Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020.
Floyd’s death was a catalyst for widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism that unfolded on a global scale. The incident prompted a crucial examination of these issues, spawning a national reckoning. As the legal proceedings surrounding Chauvin’s case continue, the stabbing incident serves as a reminder of the heightened tensions and risks faced by high-profile inmates like him.