The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Tucson, Arizona, where Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, was stabbed, lacks security personnel.
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) reported that on Friday, around 12:30 p.m., an inmate had been attacked. The office did not identify the victim.
The BOP later confirmed that it was Chauvin.
To this day, the circumstances of the attack and who perpetrated it are unknown.
However, a report this week from PEOPLE notes that the medium-security prison does not have enough employees to guard the facilities.
Chauvin is in stable condition
Authorities indicated that Chauvin is in stable condition and is expected to survive.
As a result of the attack, no employees were injured. Prison workers applied measures to save the prisoner’s life. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported Chauvin to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Visits to the prison, which houses 380 prisoners, were suspended as a result of the incident.
FBI was informed of the attack
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was notified of the situation. However, it is not clear if that agency is actively investigating the events.
Chauvin’s mother disputed that authorities did not immediately call her to inform her that her son had been stabbed.
Carolyn Pawlenty would have found out about the attack through the media.
FBI personnel were the ones who contacted the woman later.
“How the hell do these news agencies know and your own mother doesn’t even know? And that prison has my number to call in case of emergency,” the woman questioned in statements to Alpha News on Saturday.
Pawlenty added that she was worried and scared about her son’s health condition.
“I can’t even think what to say. “I haven’t been able to sleep…” she indicated.
Chauvin had been transferred to prison in Arizona last August.
Previously, Chauvin was held at the Oak Park Correctional Facility in Minnesota.
In July 2022, Chauvin pleaded guilty to civil rights violations in connection with the May 25, 2020, murder of Floyd.
The African-American died on a city street after Chauvin pressed his knee on his neck for more than nine minutes in the middle of an arrest.
In June 2021, the former officer was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison in the criminal case for Floyd’s death.
Three other officers who were with Chauvin, identified as Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, are also serving federal and state sentences in the aftermath of the case.
Keep reading:
Derek Chauvin, convicted of murdering George Floyd, had to be saved after stabbing in Arizona prison
Minnesota Attorney General: I am saddened that Derek Chauvin will not serve his sentence without retaliation