In a tragic turn of events, Frank Tyson, a black man from Ohio who was recently released from prison, passed away after being arrested by police officers in Canton, Ohio. The arrest was due to a suspected traffic violation and took place in a bar. Despite attempts to revive him and administer naloxone, Tyson died less than an hour after his arrest.
The death of Tyson has sparked concern about police brutality and the treatment of black individuals in the criminal justice system. His last words, “I can’t breathe,” echo the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis four years ago. The use of body cameras captured the events leading up to Tyson’s death, which has been met with criticism as another example of excessive force used by police against black individuals.
Prior to his death, Tyson had crashed his car into a lamp post before being found in a bar by police officers. A video of the arrest showed Tyson screaming for help and saying he can’t breathe as an officer knelt on his back. The resuscitation attempt began five minutes after restraining him but ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Since being released from prison on April 6th, Tyson had failed to fulfill his obligations to register according to parole authorities. This incident is just one more example of how the criminal justice system can fail marginalized communities, particularly black individuals who are often subjected to biased treatment and excessive force by law enforcement officials.
