Phoenix Man Burned by Police During Arrest

On July 6, 2024, Michael Kenyon suffered third-degree burns after Phoenix police held him on scorching asphalt during an arrest related to a theft investigation. The temperature reached 114 degrees Fahrenheit, with the pavement estimated between 180 and 200 degrees. Kenyon, who was not the suspect in the theft, endured significant pain and spent over a month in the hospital recovering from severe burns that resulted in deep scarring. Despite having an outstanding warrant for a drug charge, both Kenyon and the officers claimed they were unaware of it during the encounter. His attorney, Bobby DiCello, stated that the incident highlights dangerous practices within the police department, as Kenyon's skin literally melted from the asphalt. The Phoenix police department is currently conducting internal investigations, but has not released body-camera footage of the event.