CO Governor Reopens Investigation into Death of Elijah McClain

An independent investigation has been launched into the death of a black Colorado man while in police custody. 23-year-old Elijah McClain died on august 24, 2019 while walking home from a convenience store. Three officers responded to calls of a “suspicious person”. They reported McClain was resistant to questioning and officer contact. The situation escalated quickly and McClain was wrestled to the ground and put in a choke hold. He momentarily lost consciousness. When paramedics arrived, they administered ketamine to further sedate him. McClain suffered a heart attack in the ambulance and was pronounced brain dead three days later. The official autopsy did not determine a cause of death. However, an “intense physical exertion and a narrow left coronary artery” were listed as contributing factors. The amount of ketamine in his system was also determined to be a “therapeutic amount.” Now, after millions of people have demanded justice for McClain’s senseless death, the governor has finally agreed to reexamine the incident.