Ohio Officers Charged in Death of Black Man During Arrest

The grand jury indictment of two Canton, Ohio, police officers for reckless homicide has cast new scrutiny on the department’s history of violent incidents involving Black individuals. Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge, the two officers indicted in connection with the April 18 death of 53-year-old Frank Tyson, face third-degree felony charges. The men were arraigned on Monday, where both pleaded not guilty, with bond set at $25,000.

The incident that led to Tyson’s death began when he entered a veterans’ hall following a car accident. Witnesses called the police as Tyson reportedly appeared distressed, saying, “You ain’t killing me tonight.” Burch and Schoenegge arrived on the scene, and an attempt to detain Tyson quickly escalated. Tyson, who struggled during the arrest, was pinned to the floor, with one officer’s knee on his neck. Though Tyson repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, he was told to “shut the f–k up.” Moments later, he was found unresponsive.

Autopsy results pointed to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by a combination of prone restraint, physical exertion, and contributing health factors, including obesity and ischemic heart disease. Although additional factors like cocaine intoxication were noted, the death was ruled a homicide by the Stark County coroner’s office. Tyson’s family attorney, Bobby DiCello, said that the indictment provides the clarity they needed: “Now we know who the bad guys are.”

The indictment has heightened tensions in a city already troubled by previous incidents of police violence involving Black citizens. Over recent years, videos and reports have surfaced showing excessive force by Canton officers, including a widely circulated video in which a Canton officer kicked a Black man who had his hands up. Another officer was fired after allowing his police dog to attack a Black bystander. Local leaders have raised concerns over what they see as a pattern of abuse.

“Officers must be held accountable,” Stark County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle L. Stone said in a press conference, underscoring that “no one is above the law.” Meanwhile, Canton’s Fraternal Order of Police chapter has defended the officers, denouncing the indictments as politically motivated and accusing “community leaders” of exploiting the situation for gain.