In August 2019, a 23-year-old Elijah McClain, a massage therapist from Aurora, Colorado, had an encounter with police after buying iced tea from a convenience store. Although he had committed no crime, he was confronted by officers who used excessive force, resulting in an injection of ketamine and ultimately leading to his death. This case gained national attention following the death of George Floyd, prompting protests against police brutality. The incident prompted Governor Jared Polis to order an investigation ultimately leading to a new indictment in September 2021, charging those involved. Various hearings and trials for the officers and paramedics involved have since taken place, with different outcomes for the defendants. The initial investigatory stop of McClain was deemed unjustified, and the subsequent arrest used excessive force. The concept of “excited delirium,” used to justify the actions of the officers, has been criticized by medical experts.