Death of Ohio man in police custody ruled a homicide by coroner’s office

The death of a 53-year-old Ohio man who died in police custody in April after he repeatedly told officers “I can’t breathe” has been ruled a homicide.

Frank Tyson died April 18 after he was handcuffed and left face down at an AMVETS Post in Canton, about 60 miles south of Cleveland. The preliminary autopsy report released Monday by Harry Campbell, chief investigator at the Stark County Coroner’s Office, lists the causes of death as cardio pulmonary arrest in association with physical altercation and prone restraint, as well as acute intoxication by cocaine and ethanol.

A homicide ruling does not mean a crime has been committed.

In a nearly 36-minute video of the encounter, Tyson resisted being handcuffed and repeatedly said, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff,” as he was taken to the ground.

Once he is handcuffed, one of the officers appears to put his knee on the top of Tyson’s upper body, while Tyson says, “I can’t breathe,” multiple times. The officers told him he was fine, to calm down and to stop fighting as he was handcuffed face down. One of them leafed through his wallet.

Tyson appeared to be motionless on the floor for more than 5 minutes, while at least one officer talked with bar patrons. One of the officers said: “I’ve always wanted to be in a bar fight. I don’t know if this counts.”

Tyson was lying motionless for more than 5 minutes before they checked him for a pulse.

Tyson, who was Black, had been taken into custody after a single-car crash severed a utility pole. A passing motorist whose face is blurred in the video directed officers to the AMVETS. A woman opened the door to the building and asks police to remove Tyson. When the officers approached him at the bar, Tyson knocked over a barstool and told them to get the sheriff. Video shows one of the officers asked whether Tyson had calmed down and whether he’s breathing. An officer checked him for a pulse and they later perform chest compressions on Tyson while he was unresponsive. 

The two officers involved, both of whom are white and were hired in 2022, are on paid administrative leave.