An MSNBC news anchor has choked up while reading the final words of the late Elijah McClain.
Host Geoff Bennett became visibly emotional as he recounted the 23-year-old Black man's last words after he died as a result of a violent stop by police in August 2019.
Watch Bennett choke up as he recounts McClain's last words below:McClain lost his life after officers stopped him following reports of a "suspicious" man in the area. He was never arrested during the violent stop that claimed his life, as per the BBC.
His last words were: "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?"
Bennett then asked after recounting the last words: "If Elijah Mcclain isn’t safe, who is? Who is, David Henderson, Paul Butler? Who is safe? I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Reacting to the footage, one Twitter user wrote: "I just sobbed listening to this. I just do not get this racist crap that goes on in the US, day after day. Black people getting killed just going to the store. Black people having to jump through hoops just to vote. I get so angry when people tell me there is no racism in the US."
A second added: "I sobbed along with you. Thank you for being the [consummate] professional and for your compassion. Continued prayers for Elijah's family. This case gutted me. I often wonder if this tragedy haunts the person who called the police?"
A third wrote: "We're all tearing up Sir, emotional and upset. They murdered a harmless and gentle young soul for no damn reason but for the color of his skin."
Meanwhile, a fourth remarked: "Elijah McClain's death was an abuse of power. The very second he was in custody and said, 'I'm just different' officers and paramedics should have immediately helped him to his feet."
McClain was put into a chokehold and injected with ketamine despite having committed no crime, the BBC reports, and an investigation was not initially launched into his death.
However, after George Floyd's death in May of last year, the case was reopened by the governor of Colorado.
As reported by MSNBC, five people - three police officers and two paramedics - have been charged over McClain's death.
McClain's mother, Sheneen, told the Denver Post: "It's been a two-year battle just to get to this point. It's huge to know they're indicted. But I know it's not over. We still have to go to trial."
