The moment a white police officer in Illinois shot and killed Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had actually called 911 for assistance, is shown on new body cam footage.
The tape, which showed Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson squaring up with Massey was made public by Springfield, Illinois authorities on Monday.
The video shows Grayson and his companion approaching Massey at her home, requesting to check her ID before telling her to grab a pot of boiling water off the stove.
She replies to the police that she will “rebuke [him] in the name of Jesus,” which causes Grayson to retort angrily :
“You better f***ing not, I swear to God I’ll f***ing shoot you right in your f***ing face,”
Sonya Massey’s unfortunate death
After pulling out his gun and pointing it at Massey, Grayson shoots her, forcing her to fall to the ground. With a head wound, there is little that can be done, therefore Grayson’s partner proposes getting a medical kit, but SG rejects that idea.
Though the attempts to save Massey’s life were futile, Grayson eventually gives in and promises to get his medical kit when he realizes the man is still living.
Asserting that he had no other option and didn’t want to get hit in the face, Grayson argues in favor of his choice to shoot. He assumed she would throw away the water.
Grayson was fired as a result, and he is currently being prosecuted for first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He entered a not guilty plea.
There has been a great deal of outrage over this. President Biden has even denounced the shooting and spoken out in support of Massey.
Massey was just thirty-six.
