Sonya Massey, aged 36, died on July 6th after calling 911 for help. A body cam footage was released by the authorities on Monday, which showed Sonya being brutally shot by law enforcement after calling the police at her home in Springfield, Illinois.
According to her family’s attorney statement, she called 911 because she had a suspicion of an intruder lurking outside her house. Ex-Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson was dispatched along with another deputy to the victim’s house.
According to Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. His lawyer announced that Grayson entered a plea of not guilty last week following the release of the body camera footage.
In the footage, Grayson and the second deputy, who the authorities have yet to name, are seen knocking at Massey’s door until she opens it. “Please don’t hurt me,” says to Grayson after opening the door.
The deputies informed Massey that they checked the area around her house and saw no one. They then asked if she needed help with anything else. Grayson also asked Massey if she was okay mentally, to which she responded, “Yes.”
While talking in her living room, the deputies noticed a pot on the stove, and one of them remarked, “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.” Massey then gets up to turn off the stove, and the shooting occurs shortly after.
Right after the shooting, the video captures Grayson telling his partner that Massey won’t need medical assistance. The other deputy said he would get a medical kit to help, but Grayson replied, “Nah, she’s done. You can go get it, but that’s a headshot.” According to state police, Massey was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Since the shooting, local and state officials have condemned the deputy’s actions as an unjustified use of deadly force. A review of the Illinois State Police investigation, as noted by State’s Attorney Milhiser, “does not support a finding that Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force.”
President Joe Biden also said that Sanya’s family deserves justice and that he is heartbroken for her children and family.
In a court document filed by the state last week, it has been concluded that this violent action was not justified and could have been avoided by the Ex-officer.
