In a distressing incident at a social club in Canton, Ohio, 53-year-old Frank Tyson died under police custody after being handcuffed and left facedown on the floor. The event, which occurred following a response to a vehicle crash that Tyson was allegedly involved in, has led to two officers being placed on paid administrative leave.
The sequence began when a utility pole was hit around 8 p.m. on April 18. Body-camera footage from Officer Beau Schoenegge, released on Wednesday, shows the immediate aftermath when police were directed to a nearby American Veterans post. Here, Tyson was found and forcefully restrained after he resisted arrest while claiming threats against his life.
During the arrest, Tyson repeatedly stated he could not breathe—a plea that went unheeded until it was too late. The footage reveals officers dismissing Tyson’s complaints, assuring him he was fine and advising him to remain calm. It wasn’t until minutes later, after joking among themselves and inspecting Tyson’s wallet, that the officers realized Tyson was in serious distress.
By the time one officer inquired about Tyson’s state, it was suggested he might have lost consciousness. Attempts to rouse him were futile, and CPR was initiated shortly after. Despite the efforts, including the administration of Narcan, Tyson was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a hospital.
This tragic incident has reignited concerns about the use of prone restraint, a technique scrutinized since the high-profile death of George Floyd. The dangers of positional asphyxia in such restraints have been known for decades, yet continue to pose fatal risks when not managed properly.
Tyson, who had recently been released from a 24-year prison term, was under post-release control which he allegedly violated. This detail, however, pales in comparison to the urgent questions surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The Stark County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy, but results and further investigations are pending. Meanwhile, the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken up the case, although decisions on the justification of force and potential charges are expected to be determined by a grand jury or prosecuting attorney.
As the community grapples with this incident, Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II has pledged transparency and expressed his condolences to Tyson’s grieving family, emphasizing the city’s commitment to navigating through this challenging period.
