I Can’t Breathe”: Black Man’s Death as US Police Pin Him Down and Kneel on Neck

The Ohio police released a video of a Black man, Frank Tyson, who died at a local hospital after being pinned to the floor of a bar and handcuffed by officers, while repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe”. This has evoked memories of the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The body camera video released by the Canton Police Department shows the officers apprehending Tyson, who was suspected of leaving the scene of a car accident. The 36-minute clip begins with officers arriving at the scene of the accident and then entering the bar to find Tyson.

An altercation ensues as they try to restrain him, and he repeatedly shouts for help. The video shows officers wrestling Tyson to the ground and handcuffing him. One officer is seen placing a knee on his back near his neck for about 30 seconds, while Tyson struggles to breathe. Tyson then lies motionless on the floor for about six minutes, as officers check on him and eventually begin CPR.

Paramedics arrive and take Tyson to a hospital, where he later dies. The official cause of death has not been determined. This incident is reminiscent of George Floyd’s killing in 2020, where a white officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, leading to a wave of protests worldwide against police brutality and racism. The officers involved in the Tyson incident have been identified and placed on administrative leave, while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the matter.

The video has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the use of force by police officers, particularly in cases involving Black individuals. This case, similar to Floyd’s, has reignited discussions about systemic racism and the need for police accountability and reform.