An Arizona father, De’Andre Johnson, found himself in a harrowing situation that led to attempted murder charges after he viciously attacked a Department of Child Safety case worker. The brutal incident was livestreamed on social media, showcasing Johnson putting the worker in a chokehold for nearly three agonizing minutes.
The violent altercation took place in the lobby of Mesa Tower, where DCS offices are located, following an hour-long interview regarding Johnson’s daughter. The footage captured Johnson fist-bumping the worker before suddenly grabbing him from behind, lifting him off his feet, and tightening his grip around the man’s neck. Despite the worker’s struggles, no one in the lobby intervened to help.
Johnson’s rage stemmed from the worker speaking to his 9-year-old daughter alone during a closed-door meeting. He expressed his anger towards the school for not informing him about the encounter, stating that his daughter no longer wanted to return to school due to the incident. Threatening the worker on camera, Johnson made it clear that he felt betrayed and demanded answers.
After rendering the worker unconscious, Johnson dropped him face first to the ground where he remained motionless. Despite pleas from onlookers to stop, Johnson attempted to grab the victim again upon realizing he was still breathing. Eventually, he sat in a nearby chair and awaited the arrival of the police.
The DCS worker was taken to the hospital and later released, while Johnson was charged with felony aggravated assault and attempted murder. It was revealed that Johnson had a prior conviction for aggravated assault in 2017, where he assaulted a man he didn’t know by pushing him to the ground, kicking him, and stomping on the back of his head until he lost consciousness.
The disturbing incident sheds light on the challenges faced by child protection workers and the potential dangers they encounter in their line of work. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication, transparency, and conflict resolution in sensitive situations involving children and families.
