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A harrowing video depicting two Phoenix police officers beating and using a stun gun on a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy has sparked a national outcry. The man, identified as Tyron McAlpin, 34, is facing charges of aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest, despite his claims of innocence.

This incident unfolded in August at the parking lot of a Dollar Store. According to police, McAlpin, who did not respond to their verbal commands, assaulted them as they tried to apprehend him. However, advocates argue that McAlpin, being deaf, could not hear the officers' commands and therefore did not comply.

The body camera footage showed Officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue engaging with McAlpin after a man at a nearby Circle K store accused him of assault. McAlpin's lawyer contends these accusations lacked basis, and McAlpin was ultimately not charged for that assault.

Footage from the incident reveals McAlpin walking across the parking lot while apparently engaged in a video call using American Sign Language. The officers approached without seeking further witness accounts. When McAlpin did not respond to Officer Sue's verbal order to stop, a physical confrontation ensued. McAlpin, unable to hear the commands, was seen trying to shield himself but was forcibly taken down, punched, and stunned multiple times before being handcuffed.

Disability and civil rights advocates, including Nikki Soukup from the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, emphasize that such confrontations are alarmingly common for disabled individuals. Soukup highlighted the need for police to employ techniques to identify and communicate effectively with deaf individuals, such as waving to get their attention or using basic American Sign Language.

The Arizona NAACP and national organizations like HEARD have condemned the officers' actions and called for an investigation, demanding that charges against McAlpin be dropped. They argue this case is yet another example of systemic issues involving police violence and mistreatment of Black and disabled people.

Compounding concerns, the Phoenix Police Department has previously faced allegations of discriminatory practices. A recent Department of Justice investigation highlighted systemic biases within the department against people of color and those with behavioral health disabilities.

McAlpin, who spent 24 days in jail before being bonded out, has pleaded not guilty. As public pressure mounts, Maricopa County prosecutor Rachel Mitchell has announced a review of the case and the charges against McAlpin.

Civil rights groups continue to stress the urgency of this matter, calling for immediate reforms within law enforcement to ensure better training on interacting with disabled individuals and preventing similar incidents in the future.