Rally to call for probe of police

Community supporters and family members of a 23year-old Aurora man who died after a violent encounter with police will hold a rally Tuesday demanding an independent investigation into his death.

Organizers on Tuesday will call for Aurora to release “the entire record” of the Aug. 24 incident, including 911 and police dispatch audio, and involved officers’ video camera footage, according to a news release from Mari Newman, the victim’s attorney.

Elijah McClain, who suffered a brain injury in the confrontation and was taken off life support on Aug. 30, was walking in the 1900 block of Billings Street when he was stopped by three Aurora police officers.

Officers were responding to a call about a “suspicious person” who was wearing a ski mask and waving his arms, police have said.

McClain’s family said he routinely wore masks when he was outside because he had anemia — a blood condition — and became cold easily. McClain was walking home from a convenience store carrying a bag of groceries when the confrontation unfolded, according to Monday’s news release.

The 911 caller reported no weapon and no one in danger, the release said.

“Video of the encounter shows that the officers immediately went hands on and violently grabbed Elijah,” the release said.

McClain, who has no arrest record, according to the release, “politely” asked officers to leave him be. “Instead, officers slammed Elijah up against a wall, then tackled him to the ground and pinned him there.”

The officers twice applied a “carotid choke hold,” a tactic banned by other police departments, according to the release. The officers used “excessive and unnecessary force for approximately 15 minutes as the unarmed and prone Elijah begged them to stop, cried out in pain, and repeatedly told them he could not breathe.

Police have said that McClain refused to stop walking when they asked him to and that McClain fought back when they attempted to take him into custody.

The three officers are on paid administrative leave during an investigation by Denver and Aurora police, as well as the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

On Monday night, police, on the department’s blog, said: “We fully understand the need for transparency throughout this entire investigation and we can appreciate the seriousness of this matter. Last week, at the invitation of the Chief of Police, members of Mr. McClain’s family heard the 911 call and viewed body worn camera videos from this incident. We continue to offer our deepest condolences to Mr. McClain’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

The rally, and a news conference, will be held at noon Tuesday on the west side of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.