Phoenix officers hit, shocked deaf black man, body camera footage shows

PHOENIX — PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix officers repeatedly struck and shocked a deaf black man with a Taser nearly two months ago when they responded to a call that the man had committed an assault at a convenience store , according to body camera footage.

The man, Tyron Scott McAlpin, 34, was charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault following the Aug. 19 encounter with officers. McAlpin’s arrest was first reported last week by ABC15 Arizona. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police said Officer Benjamin Harris suffered an injury to his hand when he punched McAlpin, while McAlpin bit Officer Kyle Sue’s hand during the fight, which was recorded on the officers’ body cameras. The race of the two officers was not revealed in police reports.

During a court hearing, Harris said the whole thing could have been avoided if McAlpin had simply indicated he was deaf, ABC15 reported.

The Phoenix Police Department did not immediately respond to a request through the department’s email system seeking comment from The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The man who called police, who is white, told them that McAlpin, who was walking nearby, punched him in the face.

A police officer caught up with McAlpin in a nearby parking lot and immediately put his hands on him after exiting his patrol vehicle, and the struggle began.

McAlpin was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the man who called police, but he was not charged with assaulting him.

The agency told ABC15 the encounter is under investigation and has been referred to its internal affairs unit.

The Phoenix Police Department has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of discriminating against Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans, unlawfully detaining homeless people and using excessive force, including unjustified deadly force.

The city has said it is committed to reforming its police department but has resisted efforts to enter into a consent decree with the Justice Department.