The recent death of Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old black man released from prison, has sparked outrage and renewed attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. Tyson died at the hands of police officers in Canton, Ohio during an arrest for a traffic violation. The state prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident and the two white police officers involved have been relieved of duty.
Despite efforts to revive Tyson and administer naloxone, he was pronounced dead at the hospital less than an hour after his arrest. Video footage shows Tyson screaming for help and stating that he cannot breathe while pinned to the ground by officers. The parallels between Tyson’s death and the killing of George Floyd have highlighted ongoing issues of police brutality and systemic racism in the United States.
Tyson had recently crashed his car before being found in a bar by police, who were asked by the waiter to remove him quickly. Despite his criminal history, his treatment at the hands of the police has raised questions about excessive force and the need for reform within law enforcement agencies. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation, and calls for justice and accountability have been amplified by his final words, “I can’t breathe.”
