Video of Police Shooting of Sonya Massey Released

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Facts

  • On Monday, the Illinois State Police released bodycam footage of the shooting of Sonya Massey by a Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy, Sean Grayson. Grayson has been dismissed from the force and charged with three counts of first-degree murder as a result of the shooting.1
  • Massey, a Black woman, had reportedly called the police over a suspected prowler at her home on July 6 in Springfield, Illinois. Grayson then threatened to shoot Massey after she said 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus' after being asked to move a pot of water from the stove.2
  • Per the video, Grayson then shot Massey fatally three times in the dispute over the pot of boiling water, with Massey apologizing before being shot from over the kitchen counter. The officer then discouraged his partner from getting a medical kit before relenting.3
  • Massey appears disorientated and confused in the video. The family's lawyer, Ben Crump, says that Massey had a history of mental health treatment and 'needed a helping hand.'2
  • The sheriff's department said that Grayson did not act in accordance with their standards. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.4
  • The Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged calm as the case moves through the legal system, as the Sangamon County State's Attorney’s Office said Grayson was not 'justified in his use of deadly force.'5

Sources: 1Reuters, 2The Hill, 3Associated Press, 4Al Jazeera and 5New York Times.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Mother Jones. In the years after the killing of George Floyd, there's still a dire need for police reform in the United States. Sonya Massey was a woman in distress, and the police utterly failed to protect her. The status quo is leading to senseless deaths, with systemic racism going beyond the officer who pulled the trigger. Radical reform is needed to hold police to account.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Hoodline. The video was shocking, but there must be calm if we want justice to be served through the legal system. Grayson is entitled to his day in court and a chance to defend himself from the allegations, and it would be inappropriate to jump to conclusions. It helps no one to give in to mob mentality and hasty judgments, and the rule of law must be respected.

Predictions