Derek Chauvin Stabbed 22 Times in Prison Attack, Federal Prosecutors Allege Conspiracy
TUCSON, ARIZONA — In a newly unsealed federal indictment, prosecutors have detailed a prison attack on Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, alleging the assault was a planned hit involving multiple inmates. On November 24, 2024, the 51-year-old Chauvin was stabbed 22 times with a makeshift knife in the law library of the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson. The attack, which left him with non-life-threatening chest and head injuries, has been linked to a four-month-long conspiracy to target high-profile inmates. The indictment, filed Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, charges five individuals, including former inmate John Turscak, 53, who is accused of executing the assault under the guise of gang retaliation. Prosecutors claim the plot was coordinated via contraband cellphones and involved discussions about Chauvin's notoriety. The motive, according to court documents, stemmed from his role in Floyd's death, which sparked global protests for racial justice in 2020. Officials confirmed Chauvin is now in protective custody, while the suspects face charges ranging from attempted murder to conspiracy. The Justice Department stated the investigation into prison security remains ongoing.