Elijah Jovan McClain was born on February 25, 1996. He was a 23 year old massage therapist of African-American origin. He died after being placed in a chokehold by police officers. He was later sedated by paramedics.
On August 24, 2019, a citizen from Aurora reported to the police that McClain was wearing a ski mask and acted sketchy as he walked down the street. The caller also told the Police that he did not believe that anyone could have been in danger. The caller believed that McClain was unarmed.
When the police officers arrived, McClain was forcibly held to the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. After this, an officer applied a chokehold, and paramedics administered ketamine to McClain to sedate him.
Elijah McClain’s last words were unambiguous that he meant no harm to anyone. He repeatedly said, ” I can’t breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. I was going home. My house is there. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies. I don’t even eat meat. Please forgive me.
While Elijah was being transported to the hospital, he went into a cardiac arrest. Three days after being admitted to the hospital, the doctors pronounced him brain dead, and he was removed from life support on August 30, 2019.
On June 24, 2020, after a social media outcry and requests from Aurora lawmakers an investigation into the death if Elijah was started. The Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced that his administration would reexamine the case. None of the three police officers or paramedics responsible for Elijah’s death have ever been charged.
