With the onslaught of news reporting unarmed Black men being killed by police officers nationwide, there has been a renewed call to revisit the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain of Colorado, who died after being placed in a police chokehold nearly a year ago on August 24, 2019, according to The Denver Channel.
Denver Gov. Jared Polis announced Wednesday via Twitter that he is preparing to look into what can be done by his office to respond to the death of McClain, who died following an interaction with Aurora police last year.
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— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 24, 2020
I am hearing from many Coloradans who have expressed concerns with the investigation of Elijah McClain’s death.
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— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 24, 2020
The need to take action is being spurred by an online petition on change.org to reopen the investigation into McClain’s death.
Denver 7 News stated, “…they couldn’t determine whether McClain’s death was an accident, was due to natural causes, or is a homicide related to the police department’s use of a carotid hold.”