A deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, Tyron McAlpin, was subjected to a violent arrest by Phoenix police officers, leading to charges of resisting arrest and aggravated assault against him. However, the arrest itself is now under investigation.
On August 19, body camera footage revealed that officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue tackled the 34-year-old McAlpin, repeatedly punching and tasing him during the encounter. The release of this disturbing footage has prompted significant public outcry and a review by the Maricopa County Attorney.
In the video (below), McAlpin is seen looking at his phone while walking in a parking lot when the officers approach in their vehicle. As he attempts to avoid the car, an officer jumps out, lunging at him. The officer claimed in a report that McAlpin adopted a “fighting stance,” yet the footage shows him trying to escape the officer’s grasp.
The situation escalated quickly. Another officer joined in, dragging McAlpin to the ground while he was face-down. They continued to use force against him, yelling commands even as he screamed in pain.
After the arrest, McAlpin was charged with assaulting police officers and resisting arrest. The officers later expressed concern about their own injuries, with one claiming he might have broken his hand and the other questioning whether he had been bitten. McAlpin’s attorney clarified that his client had not bitten anyone and attributed the injuries to the violent treatment he received.
During the arrest, a woman identifying herself as McAlpin’s wife explained to the officers that he was deaf and had cerebral palsy, emphasizing that she had been communicating with him via phone. The officers’ response raised questions about their understanding of McAlpin’s disability, as they seemed unable to grasp how communication was possible.
Reports indicate that prior to the arrest, a white man accused McAlpin of attempting to take his bike at a nearby store, a claim that McAlpin faces no charges for.
Jesse Showalter, one of McAlpin’s attorneys, expressed disbelief that the city could assert it was addressing issues highlighted in a recent Department of Justice report, given McAlpin’s charges. He noted that McAlpin’s non-compliance was likely due to his inability to hear the officers’ commands.
In light of the public backlash, including statements from civil rights advocates and elected officials, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced she would personally review the case. She acknowledged the community’s concerns and committed to scrutinizing the footage and details surrounding the incident.
Despite the controversy, Officers Harris and Sue remain on active duty within the Phoenix Police Department, which continues to face scrutiny over its use of excessive force and treatment of marginalized individuals, including those with disabilities.
Watch the video in the report below from CBS News.
Newly released bodycam footage of Phoenix police repeatedly punching and tasing Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, has sparked outrage from civil rights and disability advocates. The August incident occurred two months after a DOJ report cited Phoenix police for… pic.twitter.com/S2nDMcM1zG
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 15, 2024
