Family of Elijah McClain sues for wrongful death
AURORA -- The family of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died last year in Aurora after officers put him in a chokehold, has filed a lawsuit against the city for wrongful death.
McClain was 23 at the time of his death.
His family says he was killed by Aurora police officers and paramedics during a stop, but he hadn't committed a crime.
Police said a caller reported a suspicious person in the area because McClain was wearing a full ski mask, and that's what led to the officers stopping him.
"Even though Elijah had committed no crime and the police had absolutely no reason to suspect that he had, APD officers subjected Elijah to a lengthy, torturous use of force for eighteen minutes—fifteen of which Elijah was handcuffed and lying on the ground," said Mari Newman, an attorney representing the family.
A paramedic administered ketamine to McClain, and the 23-year-old later died in the hospital.
McClain's death prompted widespread protests across Denver. Three Aurora police officers were fired from the department after a photo surfaced that appeared to show them mocking McClain's death at the scene of the incident.
No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the death.
