Sangamon county sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with murder and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been fired from the police force. In the video, officers are seen yelling at Massey to put down a pot of boiling water as they point their pistols at her. The situation escalated when Grayson threatened to shoot her, leading to Massey’s fatal shooting.
The incident began in the early hours of July 6 when Massey called the police to her home, believing someone had broken in. As she searched for her identification, Grayson commented on a pot of water on the stove. Massey moved the pot and, after an exchange where she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Grayson responded with, “You better (expletive) not or I swear to God I’ll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face.” He then drew his pistol, shouted for her to drop the pot, and shot her after she ducked and raised her hands.
Grayson has been held without bond in the Sangamon County Jail and faces serious charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office stated that Grayson was not justified in his use of force against Massey.
President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow for Massey’s family, saying, “Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today. 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.”
Benjamin Crump, a noted civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family, criticized the actions of the deputy and compared the incident to other notorious cases of police violence. “It is going to shock the conscience of America. It is that senseless, that unnecessary, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional,” Crump said. Massey’s father, James Wilburn, acknowledged the rapid response of the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County prosecutor in handling the case.
The footage has led to public outrage and protests demanding justice for Massey. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged calm as the case progresses through the criminal justice system. “The body camera footage is horrific, and I offer my deepest sympathy to Sonya Massey’s family as they relive a moment no family should experience,” Raoul said.
Grayson’s failure to activate his body camera until after the shooting and his instruction to his partner not to provide medical aid to Massey are key points of contention in the ongoing investigation. If convicted, Grayson faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment for murder. His lawyer, Daniel Fultz, has declined to comment on the case.
Massey’s death is a stark reminder of the persistent issues of police violence and the need for systemic reform in law enforcement practices.