Derek Chauvin, the former US police officer whose actions led to the death of George Floyd, a pivotal moment in the racial justice movement, was reportedly stabbed in prison on Friday, as per sources reported by the New York Times.
News About Nigeria reported that Chauvin, a white officer, gained notoriety for kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, leading to Floyd’s death and widespread protests against racial injustice.
Floyd’s repeated cries of “I can’t breathe” became a rallying cry for demonstrators worldwide.
The US Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed an assault at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tucson in Arizona.
While the statement did not name the injured person, it acknowledged life-saving measures were initiated, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.
Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in 2021, receiving a 22-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
The incident, captured on video, triggered massive protests and prompted a broader conversation on racism and policing globally.
In June 2023, a Justice Department investigation into the Minneapolis police revealed routine use of violent and racist practices.
The report accused the department of unlawfully discriminating against Black and Native American people during law enforcement.
Following George Floyd’s death, the city of Minneapolis settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the Floyd family, agreeing to pay $27 million to his relatives. Chauvin, who recently had his second-degree murder conviction appeal rejected by the US Supreme Court, labeled the entire trial and sentencing as a “sham” in a documentary.
Colleagues described Chauvin as a rigid workaholic committed to his job, earning him four medals but also accumulating 22 internal complaints and investigations throughout his career. Only one of these complaints, involving a 2007 incident with a white woman, resulted in a letter of reprimand.
