A story of psychopathic cruelty out of a Michigan suburb:

Nathan Morris, 35, was on a walk with his wife and daughters, ages 2 and 5, near their home in Canton just before noon Saturday when police say their neighbor Deveraux Christopher Johnson, 47, confronted him and the two got into an argument, Fox 2 Detroit reported.

Johnson was reportedly upset that Morris' daughter "touched the mulch" on his property, the Michigan GOP wrote about Morris, a party member involved in local politics.

Johnson reportedly produced a gun and began threatening the family:

'Nathan sent his family home and said that he would try and [defuse] the situation, but instead was shot and killed.'

Johnson fired multiple times, killing Morris, who was unarmed, prosecutors said.

Nathan Morris acted to protect his wife and kids, as any brave father/husband should do.

But in a situation where a gun has been pulled, retreat and cover are your first priorities. The only guaranteed way to "defuse" a situation where a man has pulled a gun on you is to be carrying a gun yourself.

Johnson was taken into custody; you will be unsurprised to know that the suspect has a lengthy criminal record:

Johnson, who lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, had on multiple occasions assaulted neighbors, as well as police officers, officials told Fox.

He also has criminal sexual conduct charges from the 1990s.

One has to wonder why the justice system would turn a blind eye to this man's repeatedly violent behavior for so long.

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