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WARNING: This video shows the moments leading up to a fatal police shooting of a woman in her home. It also contains explicit language.
The Illinois State Police released video footage showing a sheriff’s deputy involved in the fatal shooting of a woman in her residence earlier this month, an incident that has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases of law enforcement violence against Black Americans.
Deputy Sean Grayson, who has been dismissed from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, is facing charges including three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 36-year-old Sonya Massey. Additionally, he is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct.
In a statement on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden remarked, “Sonya’s death at the hands of a police officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.” He praised the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office for their actions and urged lawmakers to support pending police reform legislation, referring to the bill named after George Floyd, whose death in 2020 ignited widespread protests against police brutality.
On July 6, Grayson, 30, and another unnamed officer were dispatched to Massey’s residence in Springfield, located approximately 322 kilometers from Chicago, in response to a report of a suspected “prowler.”
The bodycam video reveals Massey in her kitchen, responding to the officers’ requests while handling a pot of boiling water. During the interaction, the second officer retreated to maintain distance from the hot surface. At that moment, Massey exclaimed, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” prompting Grayson to aim his weapon at her and issue a threat to shoot her in the face.
As Grayson ordered her to drop the pot, Massey apologized and began to lower herself, while Grayson repeated the command. During the exchange, Massey did not display any overtly aggressive behavior or direct threats towards the officers.
WARNING | This video contains graphic content:
Bodycam video shows fatal shooting in Illinois kitchen
This video depicts the tragic final moments of Sonya Massey before she was shot fatally by Deputy Grayson in her kitchen. Following the shooting, Grayson reported the incident to his superiors and activated his body camera. The distressing scene unfolded on the footage from the second officer’s camera.
Assistance was rendered to Massey more than two minutes after the gunfire occurred.
Ben Crump, a noted civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family, expressed shock at the contents of the video. He asserted that while Massey may have exhibited signs of mental distress, this did not justify the use of lethal force, particularly given her non-threatening posture.
Crump further stated, “Just imagine if there wasn’t a video, what the narrative would have been.”
‘He should have never had a gun’
James Wilburn, Massey’s father, criticized Grayson, asserting, “This man should have never had a badge. He should have never had a gun.” Wilburn noted Grayson’s prior DUI convictions, expressing outrage over the circumstances surrounding his employment.
Jeff Wilhite, a spokesperson for Sangamon County, indicated that the police department was aware of Grayson’s misdemeanor DUIs from another county.
WATCH | Ex-officer ‘an embarrassment,’ says Sonya Massey’s father:
Former Illinois officer ‘an embarrassment,’ says slain woman’s father
James Wilburn further condemned Grayson, describing him as an “embarrassment” to Sangamon County. Wilhite stated that all candidates for the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office are subjected to criminal background checks and, to their understanding, Grayson had not faced termination from a previous law enforcement position or had any complaints against him.
A former Springfield police chief mentioned that DUI convictions are not automatic disqualifiers for police employment in Illinois.
Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz, has yet to comment publicly on the case. Grayson remains in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for August 26.
Source
www.cbc.ca