Elijah McClain, walking home from the store, was approach by three police officers for looking “suspicious”. The officers grabbed him, and as he tried to get out of their grip, he was handcuffed, brought to the ground, put in a chokehold, and threatened with a dog. We have audio, but no video, as all three officers’ body cams fell off. McClain was eventually sedated, and went into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital, dying several days later. He was 5′ 6″, 140 pounds, and unarmed.
These are his last words.
“I can’t breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That’s my house. I was just going home. I’m an introvert. I’m just different. That’s all. I’m so sorry. I have no gun. I don’t do that stuff. I don’t do any fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies! I don’t eat meat! But I don’t judge people, I don’t judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying to do was become better. I will do it. I will do anything. Sacrifice my identity, I’ll do it. You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful and I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m a mood Gemini. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You are all very strong. Teamwork makes the dream work. (vomits) Oh, I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to do that. I just can’t breathe correctly.”
“I can’t fix myself.”