The president of the NAACP is calling for a federal investigation into the death of Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old Black man who died after repeatedly telling officers from the Canton Police Department in Ohio “I can’t breathe” as they pinned him to the floor of a bar while he was handcuffed prone. This incident has drawn comparisons to the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. The NAACP expressed deep concern over the tragedy and urged federal intervention to ensure accountability for the officers involved in Tyson’s death. The Justice Department, Canton Police Department, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation have been asked to conduct an independent investigation.
In a nearly 36-minute body camera video released by the police department, officers are seen apprehending Tyson at an AMVETS lodge following a single-car crash nearby. Despite Tyson’s protests that they were trying to kill him, officers wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him. One of the officers placed a knee on Tyson’s upper body, causing him to struggle to breathe and repeatedly saying he couldn’t breathe. The video also shows officers joking and talking with bar patrons while Tyson remains motionless on the floor for about six minutes. CPR and Narcan were administered before Tyson was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The two primary officers involved in Tyson’s death, Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, who joined the department in 2022, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. The NAACP condemned the officers for showing a “callous disregard” to Tyson’s pleas for help and underscored the urgency of a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson emphasized that Tyson should still be alive and expressed frustration at yet another unarmed Black man dying at the hands of law enforcement.
Bobby DiCello, one of the attorneys representing Tyson’s family, stated that they are keenly aware of the significance of this case and the painful memories it may evoke of George Floyd’s killing. DiCello criticized the Canton police for disregarding Tyson’s humanity and called for accountability for the officers involved in his death. The NAACP has also highlighted the need for systemic changes in law enforcement practices to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tyson’s death.
