Inset left: Deandre Terrell Johnson throttles a state worker (Deandre Terrell Johnson/Facebook/Arizona’s Family). Inset right: Johnson’s mugshot (Maricopa County). Background: The building where the event unfolded (Google Maps).
An Arizona man will spend nearly two decades behind bars after trying to kill a child welfare worker during a livestream.
In July, De’Andre Terrell Johnson, 33, was convicted by a Maricopa County jury of attempted first-degree murder, one felony for fleeing law enforcement, and four misdemeanor charges of disorderly behavior.
On Friday, the defendant was sentenced to 17 and 1/2 years in prison, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced in a press release.
“The chilling aspect of this crime isn’t just its violence but the fact that it was broadcast live for all to see,” stated Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This unprovoked ambush on a person merely doing their duty to safeguard children is inexcusably appalling.”
The assault took place last autumn. Johnson was involved in a pending case concerning his daughter. During proceedings, a caseworker conducted a private interview with the child, which reportedly enraged Johnson.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Johnson and the employee of the Arizona Department of Child Safety met at “The Mesa Tower” office lobby to discuss the interview details. The DCS operates some of its offices within this private structure.
“After the conversation concluded, the caseworker stood to leave,” the prosecutor’s office explained. “Johnson approached from behind and applied a chokehold with both arms.”
The defendant kept his victim in a chokehold for roughly two minutes and 30 seconds, authorities said. At one point, the caseworker even lost consciousness. When the other man passed out, Johnson dropped his body on the floor face-first – but then went to choke him again after realizing the caseworker was still breathing.
As the attack went on, the upset father repeatedly told the caseworker he was a “dead man.” But, luckily for all, he was not.
In the footage of the attack, the victim can be seen with his eyes bulging and muscles tensing as drool falls from his mouth, according to independent Phoenix-based TV station KTVK and local CBS affiliate KPHO, which collectively broadcast as “Arizona’s Family.”
Eventually, witnesses, though intimidated by the vituperative father during the incident, were able to get the assailant to let go of the employee. Next, Johnson fled the scene of the crime. He was first seen in Scottsdale on the lam and then arrested by the Mesa Police Department several hours later.
The entire interaction was livestreamed on Facebook – and captured for law enforcement to ultimately use against the dismayed dad.
Johnson was indicted days after his arrest. He was also charged with one count of aggravated assault but was not convicted of that crime.
