Mr.Tee
Arizona prosecutors have dismissed all charges against Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, after a public outcry following his violent arrest in August. Bodycam footage released this week shows Phoenix police officers punching and tasing McAlpin while he was face-down on the ground. McAlpin had initially been charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting officers during the encounter, but the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office dropped the charges following widespread media attention.
The incident occurred when officers responded to a report of an assault near a Circle K store. The footage shows officers quickly engaging McAlpin, who could not hear their commands, leading to a physical altercation. Officers claimed McAlpin took a “fighting stance,” but surveillance footage contradicted this, showing McAlpin not acting aggressively at first. Disability rights advocates and civil rights groups expressed outrage calling for the dismissal of charges due to McAlpin’s disabilities and the excessive force used.
An internal investigation into the actions of officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue is still ongoing with both officers remaining on duty during the review. This incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of the Phoenix Police Department which has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of systemic civil rights violations.
