Man Suffers Severe Burns After Police Allegedly 'Cook' His Skin on 200-Degree Arizona Asphalt

An Arizona man, Michael Kenyon, faced a harrowing ordeal when police officers pinned him face-down on scorching hot asphalt, resulting in third-degree burns all over his body. The incident occurred on July 6 in Phoenix, where temperatures soared to a blistering 114 degrees. Kenyon, 30, spent over 30 days in the hospital following the traumatic event, during which he was held on the pavement for four agonizing minutes as he cried out in pain.

According to the official notice of claim filed on Dec. 30 by Kenyon's attorneys, as he pleaded for help, the officers exerted significant pressure on him. One officer even knelt on his head, pushing the side of his face into the scorching asphalt, while others applied their weight on his torso.

A witness from a nearby balcony captured part of the distressing incident on video. The footage shows Kenyon, unable to walk to the police car, shouting, "Please… please… I can't move. I didn't do anything," as he was being detained, as reported by ABC 15.

On that fateful day, the pavement's temperature was estimated to be between 180 to 200 degrees, exacerbating Kenyon's injuries. He suffered third-degree burns on his arms, legs, chest, and face, with chunks of skin seared off his knees.

Describing the excruciating pain, Kenyon likened it to a nightmarish experience, stating, "feels like your skin is melting off." Despite not facing any criminal charges, Kenyon was apprehended by the police while en route to a local store. The authorities suspected him of petty theft after his roommate reported a stolen laptop.

Kenyon's legal representatives argued that he bore no resemblance to the reported suspect and was visibly not in possession of a laptop or any weapons. Despite this, he was detained and subjected to severe injuries.

During his transportation to the hospital, Kenyon was administered ketamine for unspecified reasons. Additionally, his phone was confiscated, and he was handcuffed to his hospital bed, even after confirming that he was not the intended suspect.

Bobby DiCello, one of Kenyon's attorneys, criticized the Phoenix police, highlighting their repeated disregard for human life. He emphasized the severity of Kenyon's injuries, attributing them to the officers' actions that led to his skin being "cooked" on the scorching asphalt.

Following the incident, Kenyon underwent extensive treatment at the Maricopa County Burn Unit, including skin grafts and other medical procedures. Subsequently, he has been undergoing physical therapy to restore mobility in his arms.

Although court records revealed an outstanding warrant against Kenyon for failing to appear on a drug charge, both Kenyon and the police officers were reportedly unaware of this warrant at the time of the incident.

Kenyon accused the Phoenix Police Department of inadequate training, unconstitutional practices, and fostering a culture of violence. These concerns were echoed in a damning Department of Justice investigation released in June.

Kenyon is seeking a settlement of $15,530,000, failing which he intends to pursue legal action against the city in federal court.