The death of Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old Ohio man who died in police custody on April 18, 2024, has been ruled a homicide by the Stark County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary autopsy report, released on Monday by lead investigator Harry Campbell, attributes Tyson’s death to “cardiac arrest during physical restraint in the setting of acute cocaine and ethanol intoxication.”
Tyson, who was Black, died after being restrained face-down at an AMVETS location in Canton, Ohio, approximately 60 miles south of Cleveland. Body camera footage, spanning nearly 36 minutes, shows Tyson resisting arrest and repeatedly exclaiming, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff” as officers took him to the ground.
The incident began when Tyson was apprehended following a single-vehicle accident that resulted in a severed utility pole. After being directed to the AMVETS location by a passing driver, officers found Tyson inside. As they attempted to restrain him, Tyson can be heard saying, “I can’t breathe” multiple times while an officer’s knee appears to be on his upper body.
For over five minutes, Tyson lay motionless on the floor while officers engaged in conversation with bar patrons. One officer was recorded saying, “I’ve always wanted to bartend. I don’t know if this counts.” It wasn’t until more than five minutes had passed that they checked Tyson for a pulse.
The two officers involved in the incident, both of whom are white and were hired in 2022, are currently on paid administrative leave. The Canton Police Department has not yet commented on the coroner’s ruling.
This case bears similarities to other high-profile incidents of Black individuals dying in police custody, most notably George Floyd in 2020. The repeated plea of “I can’t breathe” has become a rallying cry for police reform advocates across the nation.
It’s important to note that while the coroner has ruled Tyson’s death a homicide, this classification does not necessarily imply criminal intent. The determination of whether criminal charges will be filed typically falls to prosecutors after reviewing all available evidence.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, community leaders and civil rights organizations are calling for a thorough and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding Tyson’s death.
As this story continues to develop, it is likely to fuel ongoing national discussions about police use of force, racial disparities in law enforcement, and the need for comprehensive police reform.
Citations:
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/death-ohio-man-police-custody-ruled-homicide-coroners-office-rcna166444
[2] https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2024-08-13/death-of-ohio-man-who-died-while-in-police-custody-ruled-a-homicide-by-coroners-office
[3] https://www.news-herald.com/2024/08/14/death-of-ohio-man-who-died-while-in-police-custody-ruled-a-homicide-by-coroners-office/
[4] https://www.yahoo.com/news/death-ohio-man-died-while-173123702.html
[5] https://www.yahoo.com/news/death-ohio-man-police-custody-235305514.html
[6] https://www.yankton.net/news/national_ap/article_dff08a18-aae7-5ad6-82b2-bcef5417168a.html
[7] https://www.10tv.com/video/news/local/ohio/death-of-ohio-man-who-died-while-in-police-custody-ruled-a-homicide-by-coroners-office/530-0630e622-f5c3-409e-bbfc-816cd9c52664
Last modified: June 20, 2025
