Dad Shot After Daughter Touches Neighbor's Mulch! Why?
On a quiet Saturday morning, Nathan Morris and his family set out for what should have been an ordinary stroll through their suburban neighborhood. The streets of Canton Township, Michigan, were peaceful as Morris, his wife, and their two young daughters — Molly, 5, and Zoey, 2 — walked along familiar paths. It was a simple moment shared by a father and his family — but within minutes, their lives would change forever.
An Innocent Gesture Leads to Deadly Consequences
On Aug. 10, 2024, as the Morris family passed by a neighbor's yard, Molly's hand reached out, brushing the mulch in front of the house. To a child, it was nothing more than a moment of curiosity, the touch of a few wood chips in the dirt. But to Deveraux Christopher Johnson, the man living behind the mulch, this innocent act sparked fury.
In an instant, Johnson, 47, stormed out of his house and confronted Morris, according to the police. They exchanged words — angry, heated words over something so small. The argument escalated quickly, with Johnson reportedly pulling out a gun. Morris made a split-second decision: He told his wife and daughters to go home, hoping to shield them from the tension brewing on the sidewalk.
Morris stood his ground, hoping to defuse the situation. But what followed was not a de-escalation, but a tragedy. Johnson allegedly fired multiple shots at Morris, leaving him fatally wounded in the street, just yards away from the safety of his home.
Police Arrive on the Scene
The peaceful neighborhood soon overflowed with flashing lights and the wail of sirens. Canton Township police responded to the scene and found Morris lying in the street, the life he had built with his family slipping away. Meanwhile, Johnson had barricaded himself inside his home, refusing to come out.
For several tense moments, officers surrounded the house, urging Johnson to surrender. Finally, he emerged, shouting praises to God before being taken into custody without further resistance.
Morris was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. The 35-year-old father, husband, and community member died from his injuries, leaving behind a devastated family and a neighborhood in shock.
A Father Gone Too Soon
Nathan Morris was a man devoted to his family, a father who loved spending time with his two young daughters, and a loving husband to his wife Becky. As an engineer at Ford Motor Company and an active member of local politics, Morris had recently run for a position on the school board. Friends and colleagues described him as a man who believed in giving back, someone who brought a "can-do" spirit to everything he touched.
The grief following Morris's death rippled through the community. Friends and neighbors rallied around his wife and daughters, organizing fundraisers and offering support to a family torn apart by a senseless act of violence.
Who Is Deveraux Johnson?
Despite living in the neighborhood for over a decade, Johnson's presence has long cast a shadow over the community. For years, neighbors knew to steer clear of him, aware of his volatile nature. Johnson's criminal record dates back to the 1990s, with previous convictions for sexual misconduct and assault. He has even clashed with police officers on multiple occasions, according to the New York Post.
Yet, before that fateful Saturday, no significant encounters between Morris and Johnson had ever occurred. The confrontation over a child's innocent touch of mulch was the first — and tragically, the last.
Aftermath and Legal Consequences
In the days that followed, authorities charged Johnson with first-degree murder and other felonies. The prosecutor's office requested a competency hearing to determine if Johnson could stand trial. As of September 2024, he remains in custody, held without bond, awaiting his next court appearance.
Nathan Morris' Legacy
Nathan Morris' life was cut short in a moment of violence, leaving his family and community reeling. A father, a husband, a friend — gone, over something as menial as mulch. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community is left mourning a man who was, by all accounts, dedicated to the people he loved and the place he called home.
References: Beloved dad shot dead by neighbor after daughter 'touched the mulch' while on family walk: report | Canton Township man charged with shooting, killing his neighbor during confrontation
