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Elijah McClain death: 3 officers, 2 medics charged two years after he died in arrest

Elijah McClain died when he was allegedly injected with ketamine and put in a chokehold while being arrested in suburban Denver in August 2019

Three police officers and two paramedics have been indicted for manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide over Elijah McClain's death. The 23-year-old black man died when he was allegedly injected with ketamine and put in a chokehold while being arrested in suburban Denver in August 2019. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced charges against Aurora Police Officers Nathan Woodyard, Randy Roedema, former officer Jason Rosenblatt and paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Lt Peter Cichuniec on a 32 count indictment over Elijah McClain's death on Wednesday, September 1.

The announcement has come after nearly two years of Elijah McClain's death. His death gained a lot of attention during last year's protests against racial injustice and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. After facing lots of pressure during nationwide protests last year, Democratic Gov Jared Polis ordered Attorney General Weiser to open a new criminal investigation which eventually led to the charges filed against the officers. A district attorney noted in 2019 that he could not charge the officers because the autopsy report could not determine how McClain died.

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Elijah McClain worked as a masseuse. He was apprehended by police in response to a 911 call, that reported he looked suspicious. Elijah was walking down a sidewalk wearing a ski mask, with his hands in the air. His family said he was likely dancing. McClain himself told cops he was listening to music. McClain's pleading words "I am different" were captured on police body camera video. This message has been posted on signs at protests and spoken by celebrities who have joined the movement for the prosecution of the officers who confronted McClain.

'It’s sad that it took 2 years for this to happen'

The recent development in the case was welcomed on social media. One person tweeted, "It’s sad that it took 2 years for this to happen. I hope Elijah McClain receives the justice that he deserve" Another commented, "Thinking of Elijah McClain's family and friends today. I hope this brings them some small amount of relief in the face of devastating injustice. Grateful to the movement leaders in Colorado and @pweiser for ensuring an independent investigation happened." One tweet read, "Elijah McClain should still be alive. While we can’t bring him back, we at least can deliver some semblance of justice. This indictment is a start." Another user wrote, ""My name is Elijah McClain and I was just going home..." Haunting. I hope today brings some sort of peace to your family, even though you undoubtedly should still be here... RIP young man..."