Toledo, Ohio – A tragic incident unfolded last week in Ohio when a 53-year-old man, Frank Tyson, died in police custody after being handcuffed and left face down on the floor of a social club. Canton police officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Tyson’s death.
Body-camera footage released by the police showed Officer Beau Schoenegge responding to a report of a crash and finding Tyson at an American Veterans post. The crash had severed a utility pole, leading to police being directed to the bar where Tyson was found. Despite Tyson’s distressed state and pleas for assistance, officers restrained him, with one knee on his back, as he repeatedly expressed that he could not breathe.
Tyson’s cries of “I can’t breathe” echo those of George Floyd, whose death in police custody sparked nationwide protests in 2020. Tyson, who was Black according to the coroner’s office, was unresponsive to officers’ attempts to revive him. Medics were eventually called after Tyson was found to be in a medical crisis, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly thereafter.
The circumstances of Tyson’s death have prompted an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which will determine if charges related to the use of force are warranted. Additionally, the tragic incident has shed light on the dangers of positional asphyxia, a risk associated with restraining individuals in certain positions that can lead to difficulty breathing and potential harm.
In the wake of Tyson’s death, Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II has expressed his condolences to the Tyson family and emphasized the importance of transparency in addressing the community’s concerns. The U.S. Department of Justice’s longstanding warning to law enforcement about the dangers of keeping handcuffed individuals face down illustrates the need for proper training and protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Tyson’s passing has raised questions about the treatment of individuals in police custody and highlighted the complexities surrounding use of force incidents. As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, the community awaits answers and accountability for the loss of a member of their community.