Aurora, CO Police Department Under Investigation Following Protests

Colorado’s Attorney General announced an investigation has been launched into the Aurora Police Department. The Denver suburb has been the sight of numerous demonstrations calling for an end to police brutality and racial injustice. They stem from numerous deadly incidents, including one that occurred in august of 2019. 23-year-old Elijah McClain was walking home when he was stopped by police. When McClain resisted officer contact, a struggle broke out. He was put into a choke hold and briefly lost consciousness. When paramedics arrived, they administered ketamine into his system to sedate him. McClain suffered a heart attack in the ambulance and was declared brain dead days later. It’s reported the investigation has been underway for weeks now, however the department’s police chief was only made aware of the situation yesterday. The city of Aurora has also commissioned an independent investigation into McClain’s death. On top of all this, McClain’s family filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Aurora, the officers, and the first responders involved.