Illinois Police release bodycam video of fatal shooting of Black woman in her home
Body-camera footage showing the fatal police shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 for help, was released publicly Monday in a case that has led to murder charges against a deputy.
Disturbing body-camera footage depicting the fatal police shooting of 36-year-old Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had dialed 911 seeking assistance, was made public on Monday. The incident, which resulted in murder charges against Deputy Sean Grayson, occurred on July 6 in Springfield, Illinois.
In the 36-minute video, released by the Illinois State Police, Deputies Grayson and another deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office can be seen interacting with Massey inside her home. When Massey approaches the stove to turn off a pot of boiling water, the encounter takes a tragic turn. She then lifts the pot, prompting the other deputy to cautiously back away.
Massey's words, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," seem to have startled the deputies. In response, Grayson reacts with a profane threat, brandishing his firearm and pointing it at Massey. She ducks and apologizes while still holding the pot, but the deputies shout at her to "Drop the f**king pot!" Three gunshots are then heard, and Massey falls.
Following the shooting, Grayson justifies his actions to another law enforcement officer, claiming that Massey came at him with boiling water. However, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey's family, believes she needed help rather than a bullet to the face.
The release of the footage has sparked outrage, with local and state officials condemning the deputy's actions as an unjustified use of deadly force. Grayson has been indicted on three counts of first-degree murder and other charges, pleading not guilty.
In a news conference, Crump connected Massey's death to a string of police violence against Black individuals across the nation. He demanded justice for Massey and rebuked the discriminatory criminal justice system.
The video also reveals crucial details before and after the shooting. It shows that Grayson failed to activate his body camera until after the shooting, and his subsequent callous remarks about Massey further demonstrate a lack of empathy and professionalism.
Massey's father, James Wilburn, expressed his initial confusion about the incident, emphasizing that he was not informed about the deputy-involved shooting until his brother read about it online.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul described the footage as "horrific" and extended his sympathies to Massey's family. He urged calm as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system while acknowledging the importance of independent investigations in officer-involved shootings.
The case has once again brought attention to the issue of police brutality against Black individuals, particularly Black women, in their own homes. President Joe Biden issued a statement expressing his condolences to Massey's family and emphasizing the need for justice and the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.