Beloved dad shot dead by neighbor after daughter ‘touched the mulch’ while on family walk: report
A father of two young girls was allegedly shot dead by a neighbor who angrily confronted him after his daughter “touched the mulch” in his yard while the family was on a walk in their suburban Michigan neighborhood.
Nathan Morris, 35, was on a walk with his wife and daughters, ages 2 and 5, near their home in Canton just before noon Saturday when police say their neighbor Deveraux Christopher Johnson, 47, confronted him and the two got into an argument, Fox 2 Detroit reported.
Johnson was reportedly upset that Morris’ daughter “touched the mulch” on his property, the Michigan GOP wrote about Morris, a party member involved in local politics.
“The neighbor took a gun out and started threatening the family,” the post alleged.
“Nathan sent his family home and said that he would try and [defuse] the situation, but instead was shot and killed.”
Johnson fired multiple times, killing Morris, who was unarmed, prosecutors said.
When Canton police officers arrived, they discovered Morris with a gunshot wound in the street while the suspect had barricaded himself inside his home.
Morris was taken to a hospital, where he later died, police said.
After several orders to surrender, Johnson came out of his house repeatedly saying, “Praise to God Almighty” and was taken into custody. He was charged with first-degree murder and other felonies.
Morris, who worked at Ford as an engineer, recently got into politics and was affiliated with the Michigan GOP in Wayne.
“Nathan is one of those few guys who are near perfect. He would do no harm and think no harm. He is just an amazing and gentle soul. He will be missed dearly,” the Michigan GOP wrote in their statement.
Morris also recently ran for school board in their town and was remembered for his “can-do spirit and strong focus on the work and responsibilities,” according to a fundraiser set up for his family.
Johnson, who lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, had on multiple occasions assaulted neighbors, as well as police officers, officials told Fox.
He also has criminal sexual conduct charges from the 1990s.
A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf and he is being held without bond.
The prosecutor’s office is asking for a competency hearing for Johnson, who is set to appear in court next on Aug. 23.
