The Canton Police Department in Ohio released body camera footage showing the events leading up to the death of 53-year-old Frank Tyson, who repeatedly told officers “I can’t breathe” as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground. The video depicts Tyson lying motionless on the floor of a bar for over 5 minutes before officers check his pulse and about 8 minutes before CPR is initiated. The incident began with police responding to a single-car crash, leading them to Tyson at an AMVETS lodge where he was asked to leave by a woman. When the officers attempted to handcuff him, Tyson became agitated and repeatedly shouted for the sheriff while claiming the officers were trying to kill him.
During the encounter, one of the officers appears to place his knee on Tyson’s upper body while he is handcuffed, causing Tyson to say he can’t breathe multiple times. Another person is heard saying “You’re fine. Shut the f— up” in response to Tyson’s pleas for help. After Tyson appears to stop moving, an officer is seen going through his wallet and conversing with bystanders. Despite Tyson being motionless, officers engage in casual conversation with bar patrons, even joking about wanting to be in a bar fight.
The situation escalates as officers attempt to calm Tyson down and check him for a pulse before performing chest compressions on him. Tyson is eventually taken to the hospital, where he is pronounced dead. His cause of death remains pending, according to the chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner’s Office. In addition to the body camera footage, the police department released recordings of two 911 calls made in relation to the incident. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was contacted to conduct an independent investigation into the fatal officer-involved critical incident involving Tyson.
Canton Mayor William Sherer II met with Tyson’s family to offer his condolences and assure them of the city’s commitment to transparency throughout the investigation. Police Chief John Gabbard extended his deepest sympathy to those affected by Tyson’s death and expressed confidence in the thoroughness of the ongoing investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Both Sherer and Gabbard emphasized the need to cooperate with the Bureau and provide them with all necessary information to facilitate the investigation.
As the investigation unfolds, the city officials reaffirmed their adherence to regulations that may limit their ability to disclose certain details surrounding Tyson’s death. The incident involving Frank Tyson has sparked public scrutiny and calls for justice, as the circumstances surrounding his death raise concerns about the conduct of police officers and the treatment of individuals in custody. The release of body camera footage and 911 recordings is seen as a step towards transparency and accountability in addressing the tragic events that unfolded on the night of Tyson’s death.
