PHOENIX — A troubling incident recently drew attention in Phoenix, where body camera footage revealed officers striking a deaf Black man, Tyron Scott McAlpin, multiple times and employing a Taser during his arrest. This event occurred on August 19, following a call alleging that McAlpin had assaulted an individual at a convenience store. As a result of the confrontation, McAlpin, 34, now faces charges of felony resisting arrest and aggravated assault, although he has entered a not guilty plea to these allegations.

According to police accounts, Officer Benjamin Harris reportedly sustained a hand injury from striking McAlpin, while Officer Kyle Sue was bitten during the altercation as recorded on body cameras. The race of the involved officers was not disclosed in the police documentation. During a court hearing, Harris noted that the situation might have been diffused had McAlpin communicated his deafness, as recorded by ABC15.

Witness statements reported that the individual who called the police — a white male — claimed that McAlpin struck him in the face while walking nearby. Officers pursued McAlpin to a parking lot, where the first officer quickly engaged with him, leading to a physical struggle.

Although McAlpin was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting the caller, he has not been formally charged with that offense. The Phoenix Police Department confirmed that the incident is currently under internal investigation with its affairs unit overseeing the review process.

The department has previously faced allegations from the U.S. Justice Department regarding discriminatory practices against Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities, as well as claims of unlawful detentions involving homeless individuals and excessive use of force. Despite the city’s commitment to implementing reforms in the police force, it has pushed back against proposals to enter into a consent decree with the Justice Department to regulate these matters more strictly.