Tyron McAlpin, a 34-year-old Black man with cerebral palsy and deafness, is pursuing legal action against the city of Phoenix following an incident on August 19th, 2024, where police officers repeatedly tased him.
His legal team filed a notice of claim on November 19th, demanding $3.5 million in damages. The lawsuit also targets three officers involved in the incident, citing racial profiling, among other allegations. The confrontation began when officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue responded to a trespassing call at a Circle K store. A white man involved in the incident falsely accused McAlpin of assault and directed the officers to him. Body cam footage shows Harris instructing McAlpin to stop, then quickly grabbing him. A struggle ensued, with Harris using a stun gun on McAlpin four times while both officers punched him more than a dozen times.
After the incident, McAlpin’s attorneys claim that false reports were filed, including accusations of aggravated assault and theft of his own phone. McAlpin was wrongfully jailed for three weeks before Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell dropped the charges.
The release of video footage during a court hearing on October 1st ignited widespread public outrage, prompting national attention. The officers involved were placed on paid leave as the investigation continued. This incident follows a June 2024 Department of Justice report that found Phoenix police engaged in systemic use of excessive force, highlighting broader issues within the department.
