Canton Neighborhood Rocked by Alleged Murder Over Mulch Dispute
A quiet Saturday morning morphed into an unthinkable nightmare when a dispute over mulch allegedly escalated into a fatal shooting in a Canton neighborhood. Nathan Morris, a respected 35-year-old engineer and father of two, tragically lost his life when his neighbor, Devereaux Christopher Johnson, allegedly shot him following a disagreement.
Jarring Altercation
According to authorities, Johnson, 47, initiated a quarrel with Morris as the latter was taking a leisurely walk with his family. Tensions soared when Morris’ young daughter touched mulch on Johnson’s yard. The seemingly innocent action led Johnson to confront Morris’ family and brandish a weapon.
In an attempt to protect his family and defuse the situation, Nathan Morris asked his family to return home. Shortly after, multiple gunshots rang through the peaceful neighborhood, and Morris was fatally shot.
Immediate Response and Arrest
After receiving frantic reports of gunfire, the Canton Township police arrived at the 200 block of Cornell Street. They found Morris, severely wounded from the gunshot, lying in the street. Morris was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Upon arrival, law enforcement agencies found the suspect, Johnson, barricaded in his residence. After repeated calls to surrender, Johnson emerged repeating, “Praise to God Almighty,” and was taken into custody without further incident.
Suspect’s Troubled Past
Johnson has had a string of previous offenses with law enforcement, involving assault on neighbors and police officers. The recent dispute and resultant fatal shooting have gotten Johnson charged with first-degree murder and multiple felonies. A not-guilty plea has been entered on his behalf, and he is being held without bail. Further, a competency hearing has been requested for him by the prosecutor’s office. Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on August 23.
A Mourning Community
Nathan Morris, remembered as a near-perfect gentleman by his peers, leaves behind two young daughters and a career as an engineer affiliated with the Michigan GOP in Wayne. The shocking incident has left the community reeling, as they grapple with the senseless violence piercing the tranquility of their neighborhood.
Canton Police Department, through its chief Chad Baugh, expressed condolences to Morris’s family and neighbors, terming the incident as a “senseless act of violence.” Residents of the neighborhood share the sentiment, expressing fear and anxiety following what one local described as the first such episode in over three decades.
A fundraising drive has been initiated to support the bereaved Morris family, further testifying to the shared grief in the close-knit community.