THE tragic death of Elijah McClain back in 2019 shocked the world and left many unanswered questions among the public.
McClain was a 23-year-old black man who had the police called on him for acting "suspicious" and died as a result of his encounter with them.
What happened to Elijah McClain?
McClain went out to purchase iced tea from his local convenience store on August 24, 2019.
He wore a ski mask over his face as he was anemic and was sensitive to the cold.
On his way home, Aurora PD officers received a phone call complaint of a "suspicious" man walking around the neighborhood.
Upon arrival, they placed McClain in a chokehold as McClain reportedly gasped for air and pleaded that he couldn't breathe.
He vomited, panicked, and was then reportedly injected with ketamine by paramedics in an effort to sedate him.
The drug caused the young man to go into cardiac arrest on his way to the hospital.
He fell into a coma, and three days later was pronounced dead.
According to CBS4, the City of Aurora has agreed to pay $15million to the family of McClain over his death.
The sum was confirmed to the outlet by three sources familiar with the tentative agreement.
City officials acknowledged an agreement was reached but refused to provide details to the public until the deal was finalized.
What police officers were involved August 24, 2019?
The officers involved in the incident have reportedly been named as Nathan Woodyard, Jason Rosenblatt, and Randy Roedema.
They were said to have used "carotid pressure hold," to restrain McClain, a controversial method "designed to immobilize a suspect by blocking the neck artery and, by extension, the flow of blood to the brain," according to NBC News.
In bodycam footage obtained by McClain's family, an officer reportedly threatens him for struggling.
"One of the officers says, 'Don't move again. If you move again, I'm calling in a dog to bite you," according to a Change.org petition.
Have they been charged?
The officers on the scene were placed on temporary leave but at the time were back in the field with no charges.
At the time of McClain's death, Denver 7 News stated, "…they couldn’t determine whether McClain's death was an accident, was due to natural causes, or is a homicide related to the police department's use of a carotid hold."
In November, Adams County prosecutors announced they would not file any criminal charges against the officers who were involved in the detention and arrest of McClain.
“Based on the investigation presented and the applicable Colorado law, there is no reasonable likelihood of success of proving any state crimes beyond a reasonable doubt at trial,” District Attorney Dave Young said in his letter to Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz.
“Therefore, no state criminal charges will be filed as a result of this incident.”
The hashtag #JusticeforElijahMcClain began circulating on Twitter, calling for a re-investigation into the case.
In September of 2021, it was reported that a Colorado grand jury indicted three police officers and two paramedics involved in the death of McClain.
Officers Roedema, Woodyard, former officer Rosenblatt were indicted along with Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec.
Each faces charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide as part of a 32-count indictment.
What were Elijah McClain’s last words?
Twitter users claim Elijah's last words were: "I’m an introvert. I’m just different that’s all. I’m so sorry. I don’t have a gun. I don’t do that stuff.
"All I was trying to do was become better. I’ll do it…You all are phenomenal.
"You are beautiful. And I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m sorry."
According to reports, as he was being choked, McClain repeatedly said he could not breathe, much like the George Floyd case.
He was described as "nothing but positive" by his cousin, "sweet” by his sister, and "an introvert who sought peace in his life" by his mother.
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