7/6/24New body cam footage shows the moment a white police officer in Illinois shot and killed a Black woman named Sonya Massey … who actually called 911 for help.
The footage was released by authorities in Springfield, IL Monday — which depicts Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson facing off with Massey earlier this month after she called the cops over suspicions of a prowler near her home.
In the video … you see Grayson and his partner in Massey’s house, where they’re asking her to provide her ID — and eventually, they tell her to get a boiling pot of water off the stove.
In response, she tells the officers she’ll “rebuke [him] in the name of Jesus” — which prompts a strong response from Grayson, who says … “You better f***ing not, I swear to God I’ll f***ing shoot you right in your f***ing face,” suggesting he perceived a threat from her.
Grayson draws his weapon and points it Massey — which prompts her to duck on the ground … at which point Grayson opens fire on her. Grayson’s partner suggests grabbing a medical kit, but Grayson shuts that down — noting there’s nothing to be done since it’s a head wound.
Upon realizing Massey is still breathing, Grayson relents and says he’ll get his medical kit … but the lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.
Grayson defends his decision to shoot — saying he didn’t know what else to do … not wanting to take hot water to the face. His assumption … she was going to chuck the water. In the aftermath of this, Grayson was fired and is now facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty.
There’s been widespread outcry over this — with many pointing to the racial dynamics at play — and President Biden has even condemned the shooting, speaking out on behalf of Massey and her family … who 46 says deserves justice.
Massey was only 36.
