CANTON (WWJ) -- "A senseless act of violence." That's what Canton's police chief is calling a shooting over the weekend that took the life of a young husband and father.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced it has charged 47-year-old Devereaux Christopher Johnson with first-degree murder, felony firearm, and felon in possession of firearm in connection with the death of Nathan Morris.
Authorities said Morris, a 35-year-old Canton resident, was killed in the incident, shortly before noon on Saturday, in the 200 block of Cornell Street, near Sheldon and Cherry Hill.
WWJ's Charlie Langton said his sources say the young daughter of the victim was playing with mulch in the neighbor's yard. "The neighbor didn't like that, became angry, and then Morris sent his daughter home so he could try to defuse the situation with that neighbor," Langton said.
However, "a brief confrontation," police said, shots were fired and Morris was hit.
Officers and EMS arrived on the scene to find Morris suffering from a gunshot wound in the street. He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Police said the suspect barricaded himself inside his home, but ultimately surrendered himself into police custody.
Johnson was arraigned Monday afternoon in 35th District Court and was remanded to jail without bond. His next court appearance, a probable cause conference, is set for Aug. 23.
According to the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, Johnson is a registered sex offender in that state. The registry shows that Johnson was convicted on a charge of criminal sexual assault by force, involving a 19-year-old victim.