Church hosts town hall after man dies in Canton police custody
CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Leaders in Canton assembled the community to have an open discussion regarding the death of Frank E. Tyson while in Canton police custody.
The investigation into Tyson’s death is still ongoing and autopsy results are still pending, but the story is garnering national attention.
Locally the community has a lot of concerns about what happened. So, the Stark County Urban League and Stark County NAACP hosted a Social Justice Community Conversation at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
“I can’t breathe. You’re on my neck. I can’t breathe.”
Tyson’s words are echoing through Canton and across the nation as an Ohio BCI investigates the incident.
On April 18, Canton police responded to emergency calls after a driver crashed through a telephone pole on Sherrick Road. Police found the driver, 53-year-old Tyson, inside AMVETS where callers had asked to have him removed.
Photo: Dog’s ‘free air sniff’ led to arrest
When police moved to apprehend Tyson, a struggle ensued. While making the arrest, one Canton officer could be seen kneeling on Tyson’s upper back for 30 seconds.
Tyson was placed in cuffs and the struggle ended, but shortly after Tyson became unresponsive. It took several moments for officer to notice Tyson was unconscious.
Officers worked to perform chest compressions in rotation, but Tyson was not able to be revived.
“The video to me was very upsetting,” Stark County Urban League President and CEO Thomas West said. “After the video was released, people were calling and wondering what’s going on and people wanted to talk.”
West views Tyson’s death as a tragedy, one that the whole community should be concerned about.
“This incident mimicked George Floyd, so quite naturally, people were really upset about that,” West said. “The people that are there to serve and protect, they’re supposed to be helpful, are actually being hurtful. And I think that’s what people are concerned about, is what do we do from here?”
West said the Stark County Urban League has been working closely with the Canton Police Department to improve police and community relations on the city’s southeast side. He knows there are a lot of people hurting in the community but wants them to express their frustrations at the town hall.
“When these matters happen, that’s when you have to come together,” he said. “When tragedies happen, families come together. And our community is no different. We all need to come together, communicate about what’s going on and, you know, voice your concerns.”
Another Melt Bar & Grilled location closes
On Thursday, Attorneys Ben Crump and Bobby DiCello will be holding a joint press conference with Tyson’s family members to “Clear their opposition against systemic police violence in Canton, Ohio that has led to yet another death in Northeast Ohio due to excessive deadly force by law enforcement.”
“I am eager to stand shoulder-to-shoulder again with my good friend and colleague, Ben Crump,” DiCello said in a statement. “Ben has led several high-profile cases, most notably George Floyd. With our teamwork, I am confident that we will find justice for Frank Tyson.”
The press conference will be at St. Paul AME Church in Canton at 11 a.m.
“The family is interested in peace,” West said. “They want privacy and they want transparency. And I think that’s the same thing that we all want, right? And when everything is said and done, you can protest. Just protest in peace.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
