Man accused of nearly strangling DCS officer during interrogation arrested

MESA, Ariz. — A DCS employee has been released from the hospital after nearly suffocating while on the job.

The suspect, identified as De’Andre Johnson, was arrested and faces four charges, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 5th at the Mesa Tower located near South Avenue and Alma School Road.

According to the Mesa Police Department, Johnson held the DCS officer in a chokehold for two and a half minutes.

The employee was working on a case involving Johnson’s daughter.

The crime was broadcast on Johnson’s social media. ABC15 reviewed video that shows the victim talking with Johnson in the Mesa Tower lobby for about an hour.

At one point, they discuss whether Johnson’s children were physically abused or neglected, but the employee says he doesn’t expect the matter to go any further.

And yet…after they finish talking, Johnson asks the DCS employee to “get him.” Two punches and then Johnson attacks.

Johnson can be heard calling the worker a “dead man” several times.

In another live broadcast of Johnson viewed by ABC15, he appears to be at his daughter’s school and says he wants to know why his daughter no longer wants to come to school after an interview in the school conference room.

He can be heard telling the camera that school staff “don’t think it’s their job to tell me my daughter is going into the room. So. The door is closed with the man and they can’t tell me what happened. And now my daughter doesn’t want to go back to school. We have problems. Today you will meet me.”

At that time, police advised Johnson that DCS had the ability to interview his child.

Johnson was convicted in 2017 of aggravated assault, according to court records.

DCS provided ABC15 with the following statement regarding the incident:

“On Tuesday, one of our professionals was subjected to an unprovoked and horrific attack by a parent at our local Tempe/Gilbert location. This disturbing event took place in the building’s public lobby, and although no weapon was used, the attack was serious. It was enough that our specialist had to be taken by ambulance for treatment. Several witnesses were present and the perpetrator was arrested. We are glad that the specialist has been discharged from the hospital and is now at home with his family.

Our employees continually do challenging work in challenging circumstances, and they do it with the goal of strengthening families and ensuring Arizona’s children thrive. The Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees while performing this important work, and we are conducting a comprehensive review of this incident to ensure it does not recur.”