Sonya Massey: Illinois Police Release Bodycam Video Of Fatal Shooting Of Black Woman In Her Home
Bodycam footage revealing the fatal police shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Illinois, was publicly released on Monday. In a case that has caused controversy nationwide, Deputy Sean Grayson is now facing first-degree murder charges for the incident which occurred inside Massey’s home.
Details of The Incident
On July 6, Massey had dialed 911 to report a potential prowler around her Springfield residence. Two deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department arrived at her home just after midnight. The 36-minutes long footage, released by the Illinois State Police, contains recordings from the body cameras worn by both responders.
The video displays the officers speaking to Massey calmly when she moves to turn off a boiling pot of water she had on the stove. As she lifts the pot, Grayson threatens to shoot, hastily drawing his firearm and pointing it at her. Moments later, three shots are heard on the video and Massey is seen falling on the ground. Grayson then radios in, “shots fired” and requests for EMS support.
Aftermath Of The Shooting
The indictment of Grayson came two weeks post the fatal shooting. The 30-year-old officer was charged on counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, besides three counts of first-degree murder. Grayson has pleaded not guilty and was denied pretrial release.
This incident is unfortunately another addition to the list of Black women fatally shot by police in their own homes. Prominent civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, has taken up the case. He invoked the memory of others like Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson, asserting that until justice is served for Massey, he stands against the discriminatory criminal justice system.
The Shocking Footage
The released video contains visuals showing the moments leading up to the horrific incident and its immediate aftermath. Massey, seemingly in a distressed state, is shown mumbling the words “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” before hoisting her boiling pot. Shots are then fired and she falls to the ground, prompting one of the officers to nonchalantly announce that she won’t be needing medical assistance.
This disturbing footage has brought the case national media attention and drawn criticism from state and local officials. According to prosecutors, a use-of-force expert has reviewed the incident and concluded that Grayson’s use of lethal force was not justifiable, likening it to an officer purposefully putting himself in harm’s way and then citing fear as justification for use of force.
Official Reaction and Public Outrage
Following the incident, Grayson was dismissed from the sheriff’s office. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office has stated that the actions of the deputy were not aligned with their standards of training or conduct. The state Attorney General described the footage as “horrific” and urged for calm as the trial proceeds.
President commented on the incident, expressing his sorrow for Massey’s family and affirming that they deserved justice. He emphasized the need for immediate enactment of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, saying that America’s commitment towards justice was at stake. The incident has stirred a movement demanding justice for Sonya Massey and calling for police reforms.
This is a developing story and further updates will follow.
