Janice R. Andrews
Springfield, Illinois: On Monday, the authorities made public body camera footage that showed Sonya Massey’s terrifying last minutes before a constable shot and killed her at her Springfield, Illinois, home. According to Illinois State Police and Massey’s family attorney, the 36-year-old was slain on July 6 after reporting to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office because she thought there could be a prowler outside.
After responding to Massey’s residence just before one in the morning, former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson is accused of shooting her in the face. According to Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated violence with a firearm, and governmental misconduct.
Last week, Grayson entered a not guilty plea. Following the public release of the body camera film, his attorney, Dan Fultz, declined to comment.
The Footage from the Bodycam
Grayson and another constable can be seen pounding on Massey’s door in the video that has been made public. She cries out in panic as soon as Massey opens the door, “Please don’t hurt me.” In response, Grayson asks, “Why would I injure you? You gave us a call.”
Massey is told by the deputies that nobody was there when they searched the area surrounding her home. They enquire about her mental health and ask whether she needs any more help. As she shuts her door, Massey thanks them and reassures them that everything is well. She is then questioned by the deputies regarding a black SUV in her driveway that has a shattered window. It was delivered there by someone else, according to Massey.
Elevation Within the Residence
When the deputies show up to Massey’s residence and want to know her identity, things get heated. Standing close to her stove, Massey removes a saucepan off a hob. Fearing about the hot water, Grayson says, “Where you goin’?” Massey says, “Get out of your hot, steaming water,” to which Grayson lashes out angrily, threatening to kill him in the frightened person’s face.
Massey ducks and gives up the pot after apologising. Grayson persists in demanding that she put down the pot, as does the second constable, who also draws a revolver. Then Grayson opens fire with three rounds. Although Massey is not seen in the video, it appears that she had already given up on the pot.
Repercussions and Medical Intervention
Emergency personnel were summoned by the deputies. Rejecting the idea that the second constable would get his medical kit, Grayson says, “Nah, headshot dude, she’s done.” The second constable tried to help with a towel, but Massey’s condition got worse.
Massey was taken to a hospital, where state police said she had passed away.
Inquiry Results and Allegations
Grayson was justified in pointing his gun to obtain cooperation, according to a state police evaluation of use of force, but the shot itself was not. According to the evaluation, Grayson put himself in a precarious situation by becoming closer to Massey.
The investigation, which included the body camera footage, “does not support a finding that Deputy Sean Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force,” according to a statement released by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser.
Last Monday, Grayson’s termination was announced by Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, who said that Grayson’s actions “did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards.” In a Facebook post on Monday, Campbell restated this idea and described Grayson’s choice as “unjustifiable and reckless.”
Official and Head of State Responses
In his remarks after the event, President Joe Biden expressed his sympathy for Massey’s family. “When we call for help, all of us as Americans — regardless of who we are or where we live — should be able to do so without fearing for our lives,” Biden stated. He highlighted the structural problems with safety and encounters with police enforcement that Black Americans experience.
Ben Crump, the family’s lawyer, questioned if race had anything to do with the shooting during a press conference. “If it was a white woman, he would not have done this,” said Crump. He demanded that Grayson suffer the same penalties as he would have if his victim had been a white lady and called for equal justice for Massey.
The following court date for Grayson is August 26. Crump declared, “We want Sonya Massey to get equal justice.” “We said it before: whatever Grayson would be convicted of and sentenced to had it been a white woman is the same thing we want for this Black queen named Sonya Massey.”
Final Thoughts
There have been several appeals for justice and public indignation following the terrible murder of Sonya Massey. The tragedy serves as a clear reminder of the critical need for accountability and law enforcement changes even while the investigation and judicial actions are ongoing.
