Tyron McAlpin, a 34-year-old deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, is suing the city of Phoenix for $3.5 million after being repeatedly Tased and beaten by police officers on August 19, 2024. McAlpin’s legal team also announced plans to pursue legal action against three Phoenix police officers involved in the incident, citing allegations of racial profiling and excessive force.
The altercation began when Phoenix police officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue responded to a trespassing call at a Circle K near Indian School Road and 12th Street. A white man, accused of trespassing, claimed he had been attacked and pointed to McAlpin across the street.
According to body camera footage, Harris immediately confronted McAlpin, grabbing him within seconds. The struggle escalated as Harris used a stun gun on McAlpin four times, while the officers collectively punched him over a dozen times.
“After beating McAlpin, officers filed false reports,” the legal team stated, alleging that the officers accused McAlpin of aggravated assault and claimed he had stolen his own phone. These false reports led to McAlpin’s arrest, resulting in three weeks of jail time and multiple charges, all of which were later dropped by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.
The incident gained national attention after video footage was released during an October 1 court hearing, sparking widespread public outcry. Local leaders joined the criticism, calling for accountability. The officers involved were placed on paid leave pending an investigation.
The attack comes in the wake of a June 2024 Department of Justice report that found the Phoenix Police Department engaged in systemic use of illegal excessive force. McAlpin’s legal team views this case as a glaring example of these findings. “This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of problematic policing in Phoenix,” they asserted.
The lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about police brutality and systemic racial bias within law enforcement, bringing renewed scrutiny to Phoenix’s policing practices.
Link: AZ Central
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