Father livestreamed attempted murder of child safety case worker, escaped officer’s net: police
An Arizona father has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly livestreaming his attack on a Department of Child Safety (DCS) worker. De’Andre Terrell Johnson, 32, faces additional charges of aggravated assault and unlawful flight, according to the Mesa Police Department.
The incident took place at the Mesa Tower, where a DCS branch is located. Witnesses in the lobby made 911 calls after seeing the violent attack unfold. Prior to the altercation, Johnson had been in a meeting with the DCS employee for about an hour, discussing serious allegations against him in an ongoing custody case. Johnson livestreamed the entire meeting and repeatedly asked the worker to introduce himself to the viewers.
As the meeting concluded, Johnson unexpectedly put the worker in a chokehold, threatening him by saying, “You’re a dead man.” The victim was held in the chokehold for over two minutes, sustaining injuries to his face. Shocked onlookers witnessed the brutal attack, with Johnson dropping the unresponsive victim onto the floor before leaving the scene.
When police located Johnson in Scottsdale hours later, he attempted to evade arrest by speeding away. After several failed attempts to stop his vehicle, officers were able to apprehend him. The victim later revealed that Johnson had previously spoken to him about his daughter, making threatening statements.
The DCS worker described Johnson’s behavior as aggressive throughout their meeting, leading him to believe that Johnson intended to harm him. The victim’s injuries were deemed serious, with medical professionals stating that he was fortunate to have survived the attack. Johnson is currently held on a $500,000 cash bond.
In response to the incident, a DCS spokesperson expressed shock and concern, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its staff. The specialist involved in the attack was taken to the hospital for treatment but has since been discharged and is recovering at home.
The Department of Child Safety is conducting a thorough review of the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The agency recognizes the challenging nature of its work and remains dedicated to protecting Arizona’s children and families.
