Elijah McClain Pleaded 'I Can't Breathe' Before His 2019 Death — Now 3 Police, 2 Paramedics Charged

Three police officers and two paramedics in Colorado have been criminally charged in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who was tackled by police, placed in a chokehold and later injected with a large amount of the powerful sedative ketamine. McClain, who was not suspected of any crime, suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died several days later. His death sparked nationwide protests and led to new police accountability legislation being passed in Colorado.

"This case has made sweeping changes," says Colorado state Representative Leslie Herod. "But I've got to tell you: It would not have happened if it weren’t for the protests."