Tragic Death of Frank Tyson Highlights Continuing Issues of Police Brutality and Racism

Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old black man who had been recently released from prison after serving a 24-year sentence for kidnapping and theft, died at the hands of police officers during an arrest in Canton, Ohio. The state prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident, and the two white police officers involved have been relieved of duty.

The police arrested Tyson in a bar on suspicion of a traffic violation and pinned him to the floor before handcuffing him. Video footage captured by the officers’ body cameras showed Tyson screaming for help and stating that he could not breathe while being held down by police. Despite efforts to revive him with naloxone, a drug used in opioid overdoses, Tyson was pronounced dead at the hospital less than an hour after his arrest.

Tyson’s final words, which were reminiscent of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, sparked comparisons and renewed attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. The parallels between Tyson’s death and George Floyd’s highlight ongoing issues of police brutality and systemic racism in the United States. In addition to this recent reports have brought to light the high number of deaths in custody resulting from non-lethal actions by police officers.

Tyson had recently crashed his car before being found in the bar by police, who were asked by the waiter to remove him quickly due to his disruptive behavior. Video footage shows Tyson pleading with officers to let him go and stating that he does not pose any threat. Despite this, he was arrested and ultimately died as a result of excessive force used by law enforcement agents. This incident has raised questions about reform within law enforcement agencies and calls for justice and accountability have been amplified by Tyson’s final words “I can’t breathe”.