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Two police officers shouted orders at a 34-year-old deaf Black man and repeatedly punched him during a recent encounter in Phoenix, Arizona, US, as revealed in newly released bodycam footage, sparking widespread criticism. The man, identified as Tyron McAlpin, was lying face-down when one of the officers tased him.
The incident occurred on August 19 in a parking lot, where officers responded to allegations that McAlpin had attempted to steal a bike and assaulted someone.The theft charge has since been dropped by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
The footage shows McAlpin walking across the parking lot, seemingly unaware of the officer calling out to him from a police car. Focused on his phone, he only notices the officer when the police vehicle blocks his path. The officer quickly exits the car, and a scuffle ensues.
The footage captures McAlpin raising his arms as the officer charges at him, leading to a brawl. A second officer arrives, helps pin McAlpin face-down, and repeatedly orders him to put his hands behind his back. When McAlpin, due to his disabilities, fails to comply, the officers use force, including punches and a taser, to restrain him.
McAlpin’s wife, Jessica Ulaszek, arrives on the scene, explaining to the officers, “He’s deaf, and he has cerebral palsy. I’ve been on the phone with him since Circle K.” Despite her explanation, McAlpin was handcuffed and taken into custody. He was later hospitalised as a precaution.
The incident is under internal investigation by the department’s Professional Standards Bureau.
McAlpin’s attorney, Jesse Showalter, argues that the officers violated McAlpin’s Fourth Amendment rights, stating, as reported by CNN, “The officers advanced on Tyron so quickly that no one could have avoided their attack.”
McAlpin now faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count of resisting arrest. Police claim McAlpin took a “fighting stance” when approached, a claim disputed by others who viewed the footage.
The Phoenix Police Department confirmed that the officers involved remain on active duty and have not been placed on administrative leave.
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association said that the officers were “under immediate attack” and had the “right to defend themselves using reasonable and necessary force based on the circumstances.”
Public outrage has pushed Maricopa County attorney Rachel Mitchell to personally review the case. “Given the attention on this case, I will personally review the entire file, as well as all the video footage,” Mitchell told CNN.
McAlpin’s initial pretrial conference is scheduled for November 13, with the trial set for late February.
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