Ohio’s Fatal Restraint: A New Spark for Police Accountability

by | Apr 26, 2024 | Black New-US, Black Sociology and Politics, Current News Headlines | 0 comments

A photorealistic depiction of a tragic encounter inside a dimly lit bar, featuring two Caucasian police officers in uniform restraining a middle-aged African American man, Frank Tyson, face-down on the floor. One officer has his knee on Tyson’s upper body. The scene is tense and chaotic with overturned bar stools and bystanders in the background, all under neon bar lighting. This image captures the harrowing intensity of the moment, highlighting the serious themes of police interaction and racial dynamics.
Tragic Restraint The Incident at East Canton Bar A disturbing scene unfolds as Frank Tyson a 53 year old Black man is forcefully restrained by Canton police officers inside a bar reflecting a critical moment of confrontation and desperation Image generated by DALLE

A Harrowing Incident Unfolds in Ohio, Renewing Calls for Police Reform

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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Key Takeaways
Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old Black man from East Canton, Ohio, died in police custody on April 18, 2024, after being handcuffed and pinned face-down on a bar floor.
Body camera footage shows Tyson repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” while being restrained by officers, echoing the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020.
Tyson remained motionless and unattended for over 5 minutes while handcuffed, with officers conversing and joking before realizing he was unresponsive.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for police reform, accountability, and addressing systemic racism and injustice against Black Americans.
An independent investigation is underway, and the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome.

A Tragic Echo: Frank Tyson’s Deadly Encounter with Canton Police

On April 18, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Canton, Ohio. The incident reignighted the national conversation on police brutality and systemic racism. Tragically, Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old Black man from East Canton, lost his life after a harrowing encounter with local police officers. Newly released body camera footage has shed light on the disturbing event. Further, the event has sparked comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd.

A Routine Call, A Deadly Outcome

The incident began when Canton police officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch responded to a report of a single-car crash involving Tyson. (ABC7 Chicago) Witnesses directed the officers to an AMVETS (American Veterans) bar, where Tyson was located. Moreover, a woman at the bar urged the officers to remove him from the premises. (NBC News)

Bar chart showing higher percentages of force used against Blacks in various categories, compared to Hispanics and Whites in 2018.
Bar chart comparing the types of police force used on Black Hispanic and White populations in 2018 Black individuals disproportionately experience all types of force SOURCE Hoekstra Mark and CarlyWill Sloan 2022 Does Race Matter for Police Use of Force Evidence from 911 Calls American Economic Review 112 3 827 60 httpswwwaeaweborgarticlesid=1012572Faer20201292

Cries for Help, Pleas Ignored

The body camera footage reveals a distressing scene. Resisting being handcuffed, Tyson knocked over bar stools and repeatedly shouted “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff.” (ABC7 Chicago) After a struggle, the officers handcuffed Tyson and pinned him face-down on the bar floor. Additionally, one officer appeared to place his knee on Tyson’s upper body or neck area. (NewsOne)

“I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. You’re on my neck,” Tyson can be heard saying multiple times while handcuffed and pinned down. (NewsOne)

Tragically, officers ignored these pleas and continued to restrain Tyson and even joked with bystanders. (NBC News)

Delayed Medical Attention, Devastating Outcome

For over five minutes after officers handcuffed Tyson, he remained motionless on the floor while the officers conversed with bystanders. (NBC News) Shockingly, it was not until around eight minutes later that an officer checked on Tyson and found him unresponsive. Tyson received CPR treatment and multiple doses of Narcan before medics arrived. Sadly, Tyson was pronounced dead at the hospital less than an hour later, at 9:18 pm. (NBC News)

Calls for Justice and Reform

The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for police reform and accountability. Consequently, Canton Mayor William Sherer II has met with Tyson’s family and expressed commitment to transparency in the investigation. (CBS News) Additionally, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent probe into the “fatal officer-involved critical incident.” (NBC News)

Bar chart comparing the percentage of fatal shootings by police between Black, white, and other racial groups to their respective shares of the U.S. population. Black bars represent fatal shootings, while bronze bars indicate population proportions. This visualization underscores the disproportionate rate at which Black individuals are fatally shot by police compared to their population share.
Comparison of Fatal Shootings by Race vs Population Share highlighting the disparity between Black and white individuals based on their population shares

Tyson’s niece described the video as “nonsense” and questioned the delay in checking on her uncle. (CBS News) Moreover, the incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd. This is especially so because Tyson pleaded, “I can’t breathe” while officers restrained him. Tragically, the events echo those that sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice. (CBS News, NewsOne, Economic Times)

A Continued Fight for Justice

As the investigation into Frank Tyson’s death continues, his tragic story serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in America. Furthermore, it is a call to action for law enforcement agencies to address systemic issues. Additionally, they must implement meaningful reforms, and prioritize the preservation of human life above all else. Ultimately, it is only through accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to change can we hope to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

FAQ Section

Q: What happened to Frank Tyson?
A: Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old Black man from East Canton, Ohio, died in police custody on April 18, 2024, after Canton police officers handcuffed and pinned him face-down on a bar floor.

Q: What did the body camera footage show?
A: The body camera footage showed Tyson repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” while being restrained by officers, echoing the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020. Tyson remained motionless and unattended for over 5 minutes while handcuffed, with officers conversing and joking before realizing he was unresponsive.

Q: What is being done in response to the incident?

A: An independent investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is underway, and the officers involved, Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome.

Q: Why is this incident significant?

A: The tragic death of Frank Tyson serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the persistent issues of police brutality against Black Americans. It highlights the urgent need for meaningful reform and a more just society for all.

About the author

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He has authored several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.

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