Elijah McClain’s Family Reach Settlement with Aurora, Colorado

By Tadi Abedje Published: October 19, 2021

Elijah McClain’s Family Reach Settlement with Aurora, Colorado

In Summary

The settlement comes two years after McClain was put on a chokehold and injected with ketamine by Aurora police and died six days later.

The family of Elijah McClain have reached a settlement with the city of Aurora, Colorado. This settlement comes two years after McClain lost his life as a result of police brutality, according to USA Today.

“No amount of money can ever compensate Ms. McClain for the devastating loss [of] her son, who she raised as a single mother,” said family attorney Matthew Cron to USA Today. “Ms. McClain would give anything for Elijah to experience the full, long life that he so richly deserved.”

The incident happened on Aug. 25, 2019 as three Aurora police officers were responding to a call about an individual wearing a ski mask. They confronted McClain, who was a massage therapist, and pinned him to the ground while the 23-year-old was fighting for his life. Then, paramedics came and injected him with ketamine, which led him to choke on his own vomit.

McClain suffered a heart attack and passed away on Aug. 30, 2019, according to the Denver Post. The three police officers — Nathan Woodyard, Randy Roedema and Jason Roseblatt — and the two paramedics — Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec — who were involved in the incident were charged with manslaughter in September.

McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain was encouraged by the indictments.

“I’m definitely satisfied because my goal as Elijah’s mom was to make sure the world knew what happened to him and to somehow hold Colorado accountable for the people that they employ,” she said to USA Today. “Our humanity matters. That’s one thing Elijah believed in.”