Body Cam Footage Reveals Illinois Officer Fatally Shooting Sonya Massey + President Biden & Ben Crump Speak Out

Body Cam Footage Reveals Illinois Officer Fatally Shooting Sonya Massey + President Biden & Ben Crump Speak Out

Newly released body cam footage shows a white Illinois police officer fatally shooting a Black woman who had called for help fearing a home intruder.

The footage, released by authorities, captures the tragic moments leading up to the death of Sonya Massey, 36, who was killed on the morning of July 6th by Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson in Springfield, Illinois.

Sonya Massey

Sonya Massey, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had called 911 because she believed someone was trying to break into her home.

Upon arrival, Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner began searching Sonya Massey’s home with flashlights but did not initially knock on her door, according to neighbor Cheryl Evans. As the officers made contact with Massey and entered her home, Sean Grayson ordered her to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove to prevent a fire.

While handling the pot, Massey questioned the officers who had distanced themselves from her:

“Where you going?”

Deputy Grayson, with a drawn weapon, responded,

“Away from your hot steaming water … You better f****** not, I swear to God I’ll f****** shoot you right in your f****** face.”

As Massey, with her hands up and starting to kneel behind a counter, apologized repeatedly, Grayson fired three shots, hitting her below the eye. Grayson then remarked,

“That’s a headshot. She’s done.”

Sonya Massey was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Deputy Grayson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He is being held without bond, and his defense attorney’s plea for release was denied.

Sean Grayson

Notable attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family, drew parallels to the deaths of George Floyd and Emmett Till. Ben Crump emphasized the need for political action and justice, stating,

“Just like George Floyd was a catalyst for the 2020 election, we believe this will be similarly impactful on the 2024 presidential election.”

Ben Crump (Sonya Massey Press Conference)

President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning the killing, calling it a stark reminder of the dangers Black Americans face:

“Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not … Sonya’s family deserves justice.”

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