(Credit: Twitter.com)
Elijah McClain’s death after an altercation with Aurora, Colorado police is now making national headlines but the FBI and the Justice Department were already investigating it.
READ MORE: Cops involved in death of Elijah McClain put on ‘non-enforcement’ duties
In a joint statement reported by CNN, the agencies said that they had already been looking to see if McClain’s civil rights were violated since last year.
Colorado’s governor Jared Polis agreed to open an investigation into McClain’s death earlier this month after pressure from Aurora’s City Council a Change.org petition that has to date been signed by over 4 million people.
READ MORE: Cops involved in death of Elijah McClain put on ‘non-enforcement’ duties
Elijah McClain (Twitter)
“I am both surprised and pleased to hear that a civil rights investigation is being considered by the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division,” Mari Newman said in a statement.
Several Aurora police officers have been placed on leave this month for reportedly taking pictures near the scene of McClain’s arrest recreating his death.
