Thursday, March 28, 2024

Colorado Governor Calls for Investigation Into Police Killing of Elijah McClain

Elijah McClain
via Twitter

*Last summer, Elijah McClain died after an encounter with suspected race soldiers of the Colorado police department. 

Officers were called after reports of a “suspicious person” in a ski mask, which McClain wore to keep his face warm due to his anemia. The 23-year-old had been walking from a local convenience store when he was confronted by three white officers with Aurora Police on August 24. 

He reportedly explained to the officers that he was on his way home, but they accused him of acting strange, placed him in a chokehold and pinned him to the ground. 

McClain started vomiting and told the officers he was having difficulty breathing. He lost consciousness for 15 minutes and the officers called for assistance. Firefighters and an ambulance responded to the scene and pumped McClain with 500 milligrams of the drug ketamine in an attempt to sedate him, claiming he was in an agitated state.

McClain, who enjoyed playing the violin to cats at animal shelters, suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma.

He was taken to a hospital where he was declared brain dead three days later. He was removed from life support on August 30, 2019.

Police defended the officers’ actions because McClain was wearing a ski mask.

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Now, with his case getting national attention amid protests over police brutality following the death of George Floyd, more than 2 million people have signed an online petition demanding justice for McClain. 

Here’s more from PEOPLE:

The petition calls on Adams County District Attorney Dave Young as well as Aurora’s mayor, Mike Coffman, and the Aurora Police Department to “bring justice for Elijah” through “a more in-depth” investigation into what happened on August 24, 2019, when McClain was confronted by two officers as he walked home.

In addition, the petition demands the immediate removal of the two officers, who remain on the force nearly a year later.

Piper Rundell explained to CBS News why she decided to create a Change.org petition for McClain.

“Hearing that there were cases of police brutality that were happening so close to where I lived kind of inspired me to start the petition — I was just hoping I could do something,” Rundell said. “When the petition got 100 signatures I was so thrilled … I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when there were 100,000 signatures and now it’s gained over 2 million.”

Public outcry over the police killing of McClain has prompted Colorado’s governor to launch an investigation into his death. 

Gov. Jared Polis, announced the decision on Twitter Wednesday, writing: “Public confidence in our law enforcement process is incredibly important now more than ever. A fair and objective process free from real or perceived bias for investigating officer-involved killings is critical.”

“I am hearing from many Coloradans who have expressed concerns with the investigation of Elijah McClain’s death,” Polis said. “As a result, I have instructed my legal council to examine what the state can do and we are assessing next steps.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help McClain’s family.

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