Protest for justice after killing of Sonia Massey by deputies
Protesters gather outside the NAACP building in Springfield, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, to demand justice in the fatal shooting of Sonia Massey.
Springfield, Ill. — Officers in Illinois acquitted Body cam footage On Monday, the shooting death of Sonia Massey, a black woman who was shot in the face by a white sheriff’s deputy after she called 911 for help earlier this month.
Massey, 36, was killed in the early morning hours of July 6 by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson inside his home in Springfield, Illinois. The 36 minute video A disturbing scene was released by Illinois State Police after two deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a man who might have broken into Massey’s home.
In the footage, Grayson, 30, can be heard yelling at Massey about moving a pot of boiling water from the stove to the sink. He then threatens to shoot her in the face and yells, “Leave the match,” according to the footage.
The video shows Massey duck before Grayson shoots her three times. According to court documents, Grayson punched Massey once in the face. Massey died of a single gunshot wound, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allman said.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and official misconduct. He is being held without bail.
At Massey’s funeral on Friday, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump said it would “shock America’s conscience like the Emmett Till pictures after he was beaten to death.” The 1955 murder of a 14-year-old boy in Mississippi helped solidify the civil rights movement.
Crump added that the video would draw similar reactions to Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times by police in Chicago in 2014, and George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.
“It’s senseless, unnecessary, unjustified, unconstitutional,” Crump said. “This video is sad in every way.”
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‘She’s done… it’s a headache’
According to court documents, Grayson did not activate his body-worn camera leading up to the shooting, but the other responding deputy — whose name was not released — activated his camera after arriving at Massey’s home.
The video shows Grayson and the other deputy talking calmly with Massey outside his home after the two deputies searched outside. The two enter the residence, continue talking to Massey and ask for her ID.
Grayson then notices a pot of boiling water and tells Massey to move it to avoid catching fire, according to the footage. The delegates move away from her as she moves the pot.
“where are you going?” she asks them.
“Beyond your hot steamy water,” Grayson says as Massey laughs before replying: “Hot steamy water? Oh, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.
“Huh?” “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Grayson says as Massey repeats it.
“You better not or I swear to God, I’ll shoot you in the face,” the deputy replied before drawing his gun on Massey.
“Sorry,” said Massey the duck, the video shows. The two deputies yell at her to drop the pot as three gunshots are heard in the video.
Grayson is then heard calling EMS, reporting a head injury. After a few seconds, the other mate says “I’m going to get my kit”.
“… She’s done. You can go get it, but it’s a headshot,” Grayson replies.
“Dude, I didn’t take f**king boiling water to my head. Look, it got right under our feet,” Grayson adds.
President Biden, Illinois officials react to ‘horrifying’ body camera footage
Illinois lawmakers call for body camera footage “Shocking, horrifying and heartbreaking” Following the release of the video on Monday afternoon.
State Attorney General Kwame Raul issued a statement in response to the body camera footage, calling it “horrifying,” adding, “My deepest sympathies to Sonia Massey’s family as they relive a moment no family should experience.” “As the community reacts to the release of the footage, I ask for calm as this matter works its way through the criminal justice system.”
President Joe Biden also weighed in on the video’s release, saying “Sonia’s family wants justice.”
“I am heartbroken for his children and his entire family as they deal with this unimaginable and senseless loss,” Biden said in a statement. “Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonia’s family, loved ones and community at this devastating time.”
The case drew international attention and led to several protests, which drew about 200 people to the NAACP office building and education center in Springfield on Wednesday.
Illinois deputy fired: ‘not acting as trained’
Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Thursday.
Grayson, a Riverton resident who had been with the sheriff’s department since May 2023, was fired from his job, Sheriff Jack Campbell said. In a statement Wednesday, the sheriff said Grayson “did not act as trained or up to our standards” and that his actions “did not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement.”
As part of the Illinois State Police investigation, an expert in the field of “use of force” reviewed body camera footage and concluded that Grayson’s use of deadly force was not justified.
Grayson has worked in law enforcement since August 2020. He was with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office before being hired by Sangamon County in May 2023.
Contributed by Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register
CContact Steven Sperry: 217-622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
