John Jefferson
Left: Nathan Morris (St. Michael Lutheran Church of Canton). Right: Devereaux Christopher Johnson (Canton Police Department).
The last quotient of neighborliness left the air as a longtime member of a quiet, suburban community was gunned down over the weekend in Michigan following an apparent argument about a man’s front lawn.
Devereaux Christopher Johnson, 47, stands accused of one count each of homicide by premeditated murder in the first degree and felon in possession of a weapon, as well as two felony firearms charges, according to a press release issued by the Canton Police Department.
Nathan Morris, 35, sent his wife and two young daughters away as the dispute ramped up. And then he unwillingly left them forever, succumbing to injuries from the shooting at a nearby hospital.
“This was a senseless act of violence toward the victim,” Canton Police Chief Chad Baugh said. “The Canton Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the victim’s family, and to the neighbors who may have witnessed this tragic event.”
The incident occurred late Saturday morning, several minutes before noon, on Cornell Street in Canton Township, a large, centrally-located municipality in Wayne County that plays the role of suburbs to both Detroit, directly to the east, and Ann Arbor, directly to the west.
Officers responded to shots fired at 11:48 a.m. and described the violence as having occurred “following a brief confrontation by the suspect toward the victim — both residents of the neighborhood.”
Morris was found on the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
“It is alleged that the defendant saw Mr. Morris walking down the street when he initiated a verbal argument that lasted for a brief period of time,” a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office said. “Johnson then produced and fired a handgun multiple times, fatally wounding Mr. Morris. He was unarmed at the time he was killed.”
Then, Johnson allegedly retreated back inside his residence.
“Immediately following the shooting, the suspect barricaded himself inside his home,” police said. “After issuing multiple commands, officers successfully engaged the suspect who ultimately surrendered into police custody.”
As Johnson finally left the residence, he repeatedly said: “Praise to God Almighty,” according to Detroit-based Fox affiliate WJBK.
Multiple neighbors told the TV station they had less-than-savory interactions with the defendant — generally avoiding him, walking on eggshells, or otherwise acting with caution around the man deemed something of a “combative” nuisance in the years he lived in the area.
One woman told the TV station that one interaction with the defendant was enough to ward her off for good.
Another resident, Leonard Zabawski, told WJBK that in 34 years of living on Cornell Street, he had never heard of such violence.
Morris lived one street over and was on a walk that day with his family.
He was a parishioner of the St. Michael Lutheran Church of Canton, which is organizing a fundraising and food assistance drive for “his wife of 10 years and two daughters, ages 5 and 2.”
The victim, an engineer with Ford Motor Company, was involved in local politics as a member of the Michigan Republican Party.
Morris previously ran for the Canton School Board in response to COVID-19 pandemic concerns for his daughters’ safety, was the onetime chair of the Michigan 6th Congressional District Republican Committee, and, at the time of his death, served as secretary of the related Wayne 6th Congressional District Republican Committee, according to a press release issued by the Michigan GOP.
While details of the argument between the two men have yet to be shared by law enforcement, the political party filled in some blanks.
“On Saturday, while taking a stroll with his family in his neighborhood, his daughter touched the mulch of one of the neighbors,” RNC National committeewoman Hima Kolanagireddy wrote in the press release. “The neighbor took a gun out and started threatening the family. Nathan sent his family home and said that he would try and diffuse the situation, but instead was shot and killed.”
Family friend Edward McCall started a separate online fundraiser for the Morris family.
“Surviving are his wife and two children,” the GiveSendGo description reads. “He will be missed by the hundreds of people who knew him, loved him, and enjoyed his can-do spirit and strong focus on the work and responsibilities, which he took on at the cost of precious family time, especially reading to his children at bedtime. Please remember him in your prayers.”
McCall also spoke with Detroit-based ABC affiliate WXYZ about the impact Morris had — both in life and death.
“It was pretty surreal for all of us, kind of numb and shocked and emotional at different times. He was a great man, a real gentlemen, a real father figure and I’m just kind of sorting through the kind of loss this represents for his family,” the grieving friend said. “For me, I lost a friend but there’s other people who lost a lot more than I did. I’m waking up every morning just even more thankful than I’ve ever been.”
Johnson was arraigned on Aug. 12 in the 35th District Court in Plymouth, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He is currently being detained without bond.
The prosecutor’s office is requesting a competency hearing for the defendant. He is next slated to appear in court on Aug. 23.
“Nathan is one of those few guys who are near perfect,” Kolanagireddy’s statement noted. “He would do no harm and think no harm. He is just an amazing and gentle soul. He will be missed dearly.”
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