An Ohio man, Frank Tyson, tragically passed away in police custody after being handcuffed and left facedown on the floor of a social club in Canton. The incident, which occurred on April 18, has prompted outrage and calls for transparency.

According to released body-camera footage, Officer Beau Schoenegge responded to a report of a crash and found Tyson near the bar of an American Veterans post. Witnesses at the scene urged the police to remove Tyson from the premises. Police attempted to handcuff him, but Tyson resisted and repeatedly expressed fear for his life, saying, "They're trying to kill me" and "Call the sheriff."

Despite Tyson's distress, officers restrained him and ignored his pleas that he couldn't breathe. The footage showed officers even joking with bystanders and going through Tyson's wallet before realizing that he was in a medical crisis. It was only five minutes after Tyson said, "I can't breathe" that an officer raised concerns about his condition. It was later mentioned that Tyson did not respond when asked to stand up and was unresponsive when officers attempted to roll him over.

Medical assistance was called, and CPR was performed on Tyson. Narcan was also administered before medics arrived. However, despite their efforts, Tyson was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour later.

The coroner's office has confirmed that Tyson was Black, adding to the growing concerns over racial bias in policing. The officers involved, Officer Beau Schoenegge and Officer Camden Burch, were placed on paid administrative leave. Both officers are white, according to the police department.

This tragic incident echoes the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, with Tyson also expressing an inability to breathe before his untimely passing. The Canton Police Department's report mentioned that Tyson had become unresponsive shortly after being secured. An autopsy has been conducted, and the results are pending.

The community has been demanding transparency and justice in the wake of this incident. Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II expressed his condolences to Tyson's family and emphasized the importance of transparency during this challenging time.

The U.S. Department of Justice has long warned against the dangers of positional asphyxia, advising officers to roll suspects onto their sides as soon as they are handcuffed. A recent investigation by The Associated Press revealed that over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after being subjected to non-lethal means of restraint, including prone restraint.

As calls for police reform and accountability continue to amplify nationwide, it is crucial for thorough investigations to take place to uncover the truth and ensure justice for Frank Tyson and his grieving family.