I Can’t Breathe”: Black Man Dies After US Police Officers Pin Him Down, Kneel on Neck

Ohio police released body camera video of the apprehension of a Black man, Frank Tyson, who later died at a local hospital after repeatedly telling officers that he couldn’t breathe as they pinned him to the floor of a bar and handcuffed him. The incident, which occurred on April 18, has drawn comparisons to the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The video, released by the Canton Police Department, showed officers apprehending Tyson, who was suspected of leaving the scene of a single-car accident. He was seen standing at the bar in the establishment, and an altercation ensued when officers attempted to grab his arms.

Tyson repeatedly shouted for help while officers wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him. During the struggle, one officer was seen placing a knee on Tyson’s back near his neck for about 30 seconds. Tyson could be heard repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” as officers tried to reassure him to calm down. The video showed Tyson lying motionless on the floor for about six minutes before the officers checked on him and removed the handcuffs to perform CPR.

Paramedics later arrived and took Tyson to a local hospital, where he died. The incident has sparked a wave of protests and public outcry, drawing comparisons to George Floyd’s deadly encounter with Minneapolis police in 2020. The video of Floyd’s killing went viral and led to widespread protests against police brutality and racism. The officers involved in the Tyson incident, identified as Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, were placed on administrative leave, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating the incident.

The official cause of Tyson’s death has not been determined, but the parallels between this incident and George Floyd’s killing have renewed calls for justice and accountability in cases of police brutality. The Ohio police officers involved in this incident are under investigation, and public scrutiny of their actions has intensified as the video footage has been widely shared and discussed.