Body camera footage Releases this week offer a sobering look at and renewed investigation into the police killing of Sonia Massey, a 36-year-old black woman in Springfield, Illinois. Disparate violence against black Americans Face in the hands of law enforcement.
On July 6, Massey was shot by a sheriff’s deputy in his own home, after officers responded to his call about a possible prowler. After checking his backyard and surrounding area, at least two officers entered his home as part of their inspection. Inside, one of them asks her to turn off her stove. As he does so, he picks up a pot of boiling water and the officers move away, noting that they want to distance themselves from it. He makes a comment about bullying them “in the name of Jesus”, at which point one of them, Sean Grayson, is shot three times, including fatally once in the head.
A grand jury has since indicted Grayson on three counts of first-degree murder, including some Law enforcement experts Questioning why he would shoot Macy rather than other alternative responses such as adding more distance between them or using a taser.
The shooting also added to a long history of police violence against black Americans — and illustrates how the problem is perpetuating. In 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, mass protests erupted across the United States after an officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. They sparked mass protests in 2014 after Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri. Massey is among several black Americans shot by police in his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, including Roger Fortson. Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Worth, Texas.
What we know about the event
After Massey called 911 around 12:50 a.m. on July 6, police arrived at her home and began a sweep around the house. They finally tell him they haven’t found anyone in the area and seem ready to leave, when the video shows them entering his house. While talking to Macy, they ask her if she’s okay mentally and she replies, “Yeah, I took my medicine.” Ben Crump, civil rights attorney for the Massey family, Says he’s dealt with mental health struggles.
It wasn’t immediately clear why the officers went to Massey’s home, but the video shows him looking for his ID. While they are inside, the officers realize that the stove is on and ask Macy to turn it off. When he goes to do so, he removes the pot of boiling water, telling the officers to back off.
“Where are you going?” Massey said.
“Stay away from your hot, steamy water,” says Grayson.
“Away from my hot, steamy water?” Macy asks, holding up the pot. “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
“If you don’t good ****** I swear to God I’ll shoot you ****** in the face,” Grayson says as he pulls his gun.
Macy then says “I’m sorry,” and as the duck raises the pot over her head, Grayson shoots her multiple times, fatally wounding her.
As his colleague leaves to get a medical kit from their car, Grayson comments, “Nah, he’s done. You can go get it but it’s a headshot.” He later added, “Yeah I’m fine, this f****** b**** is crazy.”
Last week, a grand jury indicted Grayson on charges of first-degree murder, as well as aggravated battery with a firearm and misdemeanor, all of which he pleaded not guilty to. He has also been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department. which mentioned “It is clear that the deputy was not trained or performed to our standards.”
A state’s attorney review The case similarly concluded that its analysis “does not support a finding that … Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force.” State attorneys also cited an expert who described the act as comparable to “an officer intentionally and unnecessarily placing himself in front of a moving vehicle and then justifying the use of force out of fear of injury.”
Her family said Massey – a mother of two – was a “ball of strength” and a “loving person” who was known for helping those around her. They also mention that they Not initially stated The shooting was committed by an officer and was initially believed to have been committed by someone else.
Massey’s family is now calling for an investigation into the Sheriff’s Department’s hiring of Grayson, who served Six different law enforcement agencies In the last four years, and has been Charged twice With driving under the influence. According to An intercept reportGrayson was also dismissed from the military for misconduct.
Given the indictment, prosecutors will pursue charges against Grayson in a case that could go to trial. He has been denied pretrial release.
It is the latest incident to raise concerns about police violence
Massey’s shooting highlights how widespread police violence against black Americans still is, and the lack of effective policies to address it.
In 2023, the police killed more than 1,300 people, a new record. Organization Mapping Police Violence. The same data set found that black people were nearly three times more likely to be killed by police than white people.
Efforts to advance police reform have varied from place to place at the city, state, and federal levels For example, San Francisco is investing in crisis response teams Those that serve as an alternative and states like Minnesota Energy standards authorize new uses.
But any federal compromise on police reform — including an effort after the Floyd shooting in 2020 to end protections for officers from legal liability — has so far failed.
