Black Man's Death After Arrest Draws Comparisons To George Floyd Case

Last week, police handcuffed an Ohio man and forced him to the floor of a social club after they responded to a crash call, but recently released police bodycam footage is raising concerns. 

The man later died, and the officers were placed on paid administrative leave, which is drawing comparisons to the George Floyd case. 

The crash, which involved a utility pole, occurred around 8 p.m. on April 18. After responding to the call, a passing motorist directed police to a nearby bar. 

53-year-old Frank Tyson was arrested after officers found the man at the bar near the crash site. When law enforcement approached the bar, a woman opened the door and said, "Please get him out of here now."

Police entered the bar, where they found Tyson and handcuffed him. Bodycam footage shows the 53-year-old yelling, "They're trying to kill me," and "Call the sheriff," as he was being shoved to the floor. 

Tyson was then heard saying "I can't breathe," which reminded many of the George Floyd incident, which occurred in 2020.

Five minutes after the body-camera footage recorded Tyson saying, "I can't breathe,” an officer is heard asking another officer if Tyson had calmed down, who replied, "He might be out."

When law enforcement told Tyson to stand, he did not move, so the officer tried to roll him over. That is when police are seen shaking him and checking for a pulse. Officers then began CPR.

The police report, obtained by CBS, noted that "shortly after securing [Tyson]," officers "recognized that Tyson had become unresponsive," and that is when CPR was performed. Narcan was administered to the 53-year-old before medics arrived. Unfortunately, Tyson was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later.

"BCI's investigation remains active and ongoing," the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation said. "Once BCI's investigation is completed, it will be referred to the Stark County Prosecutor's Office."

Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II expressed his condolences to Frank Tyson's family in person. "As we make it through this challenging time, my goal is to be as transparent with the community as possible," he said.

According to the coroner's office, Tyson was African-American, and both Canton Police Department officers, who are white, were placed on leave.

Frank Tyson’s “I can’t breathe” statement reminds many of the George Floyd tragedy in May 2020, which sparked global protests against police brutality and racial injustices such as the Black Lives Matter movement.

George Floyd passed away following an incident where a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest. His death initiated racial inequality, police reform, and social justice conversations.

After the police bodycam footage from Frank Tyson's arrest was released, many are comparing the incident to Floyd's 2020 arrest.

"Is this George Floyd all over again? Eerily similar," one social media user wrote. "Frank Tyson died in Canton Ohio police custody last week. His death is so reminiscent of George Floyd," another said.

A third expressed, "Frank Tyson was motionless for five minutes on the ground until one officer decided to check on him. At that point, police noticed he didn’t have a pulse."

They added, "He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Will Frank Tyson’s death lead to another George Floyd 'Summer of Love?' "