CANTON, MI – In a tragic turn of events, a father of two was killed in broad daylight, leaving a close-knit community in shock. Devereaux Johnson, the suspect, appeared in court on Monday, where a judge ordered a competency evaluation before denying him bond.
Johnson, who surrendered to authorities while praying, is accused of shooting his neighbor, Nathan Morris, last Saturday. Reports suggest the confrontation began when Morris’s young daughter touched some mulch in Johnson’s yard. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Morris sent his family home and approached Johnson, but was fatally shot instead.
Police confirmed that Johnson started the argument and then barricaded himself in his home following the shooting. Despite their efforts, officers were unable to save Morris, who died at the hospital. Judge James Plotkin has ordered Johnson to remain in custody without bail, pending a mental health assessment.
Residents of the usually quiet Canton neighborhood near Sheldon and Cherry Hill are struggling to comprehend the violence. Longtime resident Leonard Zubowski expressed his disbelief, noting that the area had never experienced such an incident in his 34 years living there.
Johnson, a 12-year resident of the neighborhood, has a history of violent behavior, including assaults on neighbors and police officers. This revelation has left many questioning how someone with such a past could live among them unnoticed.
Morris, an engineer at Ford who recently became involved in local politics, leaves behind two young daughters, aged five and two. The Michigan GOP, with which Morris was affiliated, described him as a near-perfect individual who would never harm anyone.
As the community grieves, the incident underscores the need for vigilance and raises questions about how to better identify and address potential threats within neighborhoods.