36 year old Sonya Massey made a 911 phone call regarding a possible intruder in her backyard in Springfield, Illinois. Two Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene after midnight on July 6, 2024. One was identified by prosecutors as former deputy Sean Grayson, who has been charged with first degree murder for allegedly shooting Massey in the face.
The 36 minute body cam footage was released via the Illinois state police Monday July 22nd, 2024. Body cam footage revealed deputy Grayson and another deputy speaking with Sonya Massey inside her home prior to the incident. Grayson informed Massey that the her backyard was checked. Grayson mentioned that Massey appeared confused.
At a press conference on July 22nd along side civil rights attorney Ben Crump her family stated she had suffered from mental health issues. Massey stated to police “I’m trying to get help y’all” in the video. “What do you need help with?” a deputy asks. “Nothing,” Massey says. “Please God, please God, please God.”
Minutes later, the deputies and Massey enter her home.
After a discussion about her ID, Massey walks into her kitchen and picks up what appears to be a pot of boiling water from her stove. “Where you are going?” she asks the deputies.
“Away from your hot, steaming water,” Grayson responds.
“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” says Massey.
“You better f— not, I swear to God, I’ll f—- shoot you right in your f—— face,” Grayson responds, drawing his gun.
“OK, I’m sorry!” Massey responds, before ducking behind the counter. The second deputy also draws his gun, and Grayson yells “Drop the f— pot!” repeatedly before three shots are heard, according to the bodycam footage.
The coroner later confirmed the mother of two was fatally shot in the head. In the video, moments after the shooting, Grayson speaks to the second deputy, who hasn’t been identified. “I’m not taking hot boiling water to the f—- face,” Grayson says.
Grayson was fired from his job with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department and has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, Milhiser said.
“He walked around the counter to get a better shot,” Crump said at the news conference. “If you don’t fear for your life, you don’t walk towards the person.”
Grayson pleaded not guilty to the charges last week, his attorney told NBC News.
His attorneys declined to comment after body cam footage was released.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell released a statement on Facebookfollowing the release of the footage. “Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson,”. “Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or training of our office.
“He will now face judgment by the criminal justice system and will never again work in law enforcement.”
As news of the video’s release spread on Tuesday, several notable figures spoke out to condemn the shooting. In a statement on Twitter, Vice President Kamala Harris called the video “disturbing,” saying, “Sonya Massey deserved to be safe.”
“The disturbing footage released yesterday confirms what we know from the lived experiences of so many — we have much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name,” Harris said.
Pop star Solange Knowles noted that when Massey opened the door to deputies, she told them, “Don’t hurt me.”
President Joe Biden also issued a statement on July 22 saying Massey’s death “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,” he added.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also released a statement condemning the shooting, saying Massey was “gunned down by an officer of the law.”
“My heart breaks for Sonya’s children, for her family and friends and for all who knew and loved her, and I am enraged that another innocent Black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer,” Pritzker said.
Angela Greene Editor
Yasentertainment 
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