George Floyd’s killer, Derek Chauvin, was stabbed in prison on Friday

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer serving time for the murder of George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Tucson, Arizona. The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time.

The attack took place at FCI Tucson, a medium-security prison that has faced challenges with security lapses and staffing shortages, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed the assault, stating that responding staff contained the incident and administered “life-saving measures” before transporting the injured inmate to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation. The identity of the assailant remains undisclosed.

Chauvin’s stabbing follows a similar high-profile attack on a federal prisoner in July when disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed at a federal penitentiary in Florida.

The Tucson federal prison has experienced significant incidents in recent times, including an attempted shooting in November 2022 when an inmate at the low-security prison camp tried to shoot a visitor. Fortunately, the weapon misfired, preventing injuries.

Chauvin, 47, had been transferred to FCI Tucson in August 2022 from a maximum-security Minnesota state prison to serve concurrent federal and state sentences totaling 43½ years for violating Floyd’s civil rights and second-degree murder.

Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, had previously advocated for keeping him out of the general prison population due to concerns about his safety. In Minnesota, Chauvin was primarily kept in solitary confinement for protection.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Chauvin’s appeal of his murder conviction, and separately, he is attempting to overturn his federal guilty plea, claiming new evidence.

Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, sparked global protests and a renewed focus on police brutality and racial injustice.

Chauvin’s stabbing adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by the federal Bureau of Prisons, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent years.

The Associated Press has revealed deep-seated issues within the Bureau of Prisons, including sexual abuse by staff, escapes, violence, deaths, and severe staffing shortages.

Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters, who took office last year, has pledged reforms but has faced criticism for delays in providing information to lawmakers.

The incident raises questions about the safety and security of high-profile inmates within the federal prison system, highlighting the need for ongoing reforms and increased transparency within the Bureau of Prisons.