Funeral arrangements have been made for a Black man who tragically passed away in an Ohio bar following a violent arrest, during which he pleaded with a police officer, who was kneeling near his neck, that he couldn’t breathe.
The funeral of Frank Tyson, who tragically passed away on April 18 after a distressing encounter with the Canton Police Department, has been scheduled to take place later this week.
Black Man Dies After Telling Ohio Cop With His Knee Near His Neck, ‘I Can’t Breathe.’ Sound Familiar?
In a tragic incident that echoes the chilling words of George Floyd, a black man has died after repeatedly telling an Ohio police officer that he couldn’t breathe. This distressing incident highlights the disturbing pattern of excessive force and disregard for human life that continues to plague law enforcement interactions with people of color. The haunting similarities to previous cases that have sparked nationwide outrage serve as a painful reminder of the urgent need for justice and systemic change.
Tyson’s death, in which he eerily foresaw his own demise while being apprehended, is drawing comparisons to the tragic killing of George Floyd.
Tyson, 53, can be seen shouting on bodycam video as he is forcefully placed under arrest for an alleged single-car crash that resulted in a fallen power line. He expresses his fear, repeatedly stating, “They’re trying to kill me.”
Tyson, who faced accusations of leaving the vehicle after the accident, cried out, “Call the sheriff!” He repeated this plea multiple times, all the while expressing his struggle to breathe.
As Tyson is brought down, a voice can be heard warning him, “You’re going to get sprayed,” followed by another voice saying, “Don’t spray him.”
The officers manage to place handcuffs on Tyson, but then one of them seemingly places his knee on the upper part of Tyson’s body while Tyson repeats, “I can’t breathe,” multiple times.
“I can’t breathe. You’re on my neck,” Tyson says, gasping for air.
Tyson was instructed to “shut the f*ck up” by one of the officers.
After approximately 8 minutes, an officer finally checks Tyson for a pulse, while being heard joking with bar patrons. It took even more time before CPR was started, but by then, it was too late for basic medical attention. Ultimately, Tyson was declared dead at a nearby hospital.
The officers who responded to the incident have not faced any disciplinary action or been publicly identified.
Frank Tyson’s funeral was being planned amidst this context.
Frank Tyson’s funeral
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network, will deliver the eulogy at Tyson’s funeral later this week. The announcement was made on Wednesday.
According to Sharpton, the circumstances surrounding Tyson’s death are all too familiar.
In a statement sent to NewsOne, Sharpton expressed his dismay over the familiar cries of “I can’t breathe” from Frank Tyson, who tragically lost his life while in police custody. Sharpton highlighted the alarming pattern of Black men and women facing such brutality and emphasized how their pleas for help are often disregarded and met with excessive force. He acknowledged his commitment to seeking justice for Tyson’s family, stating that he has responded to their request to deliver Tyson’s eulogy.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who recently took on the role of representing Tyson’s family, will be delivering a powerful national plea for justice during the funeral.
Last week, Crump expressed the need for more than just an investigation into the death of Frank Tyson. He emphasized the importance of accountability and justice, stating that the case should receive the same level of attention as the George Floyd incident. Crump made a promise to relentlessly pursue those responsible for Tyson’s death and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. He further emphasized the need for this tragedy to ignite meaningful change within a flawed system.
Frank Tyson’s funeral will be held on Wednesday at Hear the Word Ministries in Canton. The services are scheduled to commence at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
