All charges have been dismissed against Tyron McAlpin, a 34-year-old Black man with cerebral palsy who was shocked with a Taser and repeatedly punched by Phoenix police officers. McAlpin was initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of resisting arrest, as well as a misdemeanor count of theft. The charges were based on allegations that McAlpin failed to respond to verbal commands and engaged in physical aggression toward an officer during an arrest in August. However, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell reviewed the case and decided to dismiss all charges against him. The decision came after Mitchell met with senior attorneys and community members regarding the case.
A recent release of new body camera footage by the Phoenix Police Department has raised questions about the use of force against McAlpin during his arrest. The video shows McAlpin, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, being beaten and tased by officers multiple times. The incident began when police responded to a 911 call reporting a fight at a Circle K convenience store. Subsequently, a white man alleged that McAlpin had assaulted him after attempting to stop the theft of a bike. Officers pursued McAlpin and attempted to arrest him immediately, leading to a confrontation in which McAlpin was shocked with a Taser and punched repeatedly by officers.
Following the dismissal of charges, McAlpin’s attorney accused the officers of conducting a violent and frenzied attack on McAlpin. He stated that additional evidence, including body camera footage from the officers’ interactions with witnesses at the store, contradicted the assault claims made against McAlpin. The attorney also expressed his intention to file a lawsuit if the requested information was not provided by November. This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Phoenix Police Department, with recent findings by the Department of Justice highlighting discriminatory practices and the use of excessive force by the department, particularly against communities of color and vulnerable populations.
Rachel Mitchell’s decision to dismiss all charges against McAlpin came after a thorough review of the case, including video recordings, police reports, and community input. The case sparked concerns among local leaders, including the NAACP, prompting Mitchell to convene a meeting with senior attorneys and community members to gather opinions on the matter. McAlpin’s attorney welcomed the decision to drop the charges, emphasizing that his client, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, faced unnecessary aggression and violence during the arrest. The attorney has requested additional evidence from the police and is prepared to take legal action if the information is not provided promptly.
The release of body camera footage depicting the arrest of Tyron McAlpin has reignited discussions about police use of force and interactions with vulnerable populations. The video shows McAlpin being physically assaulted and repeatedly shocked with a Taser by Phoenix police officers, despite his disabilities and inability to communicate effectively. The incident underscores the importance of adequate training and awareness within law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals with disabilities are treated with respect and sensitivity during encounters with police. Moving forward, there is a need for accountability and transparency in addressing instances of excessive force and discrimination within policing practices, particularly in communities of color and marginalized groups.
