In the aftermath of the Illinois State Police released bodycam footage on Monday, public outrage and deep concern continue to simmer throughout the state. The footage shows the tragic shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson at her Springfield residence. This disturbing incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of law enforcement use-of-force protocols and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
On July 6th, at around 12:50 am, Sonya Massey, a resident on the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue, called Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies about a prowler in her home. Two deputies, both white, Grayson and another unnamed officer, responded to the call. Shortly after, at 1:21 am, the deputies reported gunfire. Massey was transported to St. John’s Hospital but died from her injuries.
While Grayson’s bodycam reportedly wasn’t activated until after the shooting, footage from an unnamed deputy’s camera captures the unsettling events. The video shows the deputies arriving at Massey’s residence, searching the exterior for nine minutes, then approaching the door to inform her and request identification for a report.
The deputies’ arrival interrupted Massey’s frantic search for her ID. A pot of water bubbled ominously on the stove, forgotten in the sudden tension. Reacting instinctively, Massey grabbed the pot, its heat radiating outwards, and hurried towards the sink. The officers, sensing the rising panic, took a cautious step back, jokes dying on their lips.
Massey, noticing their reaction, asked, “Where are you going?” One officer replied, “Away from your hot, steaming water,” with a laugh. Believing Grayson was joking, Massey responded playfully, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” She repeated this, thinking the officer hadn’t heard her.
The situation escalated quickly when Grayson’s demeanor turned hostile, and he drew his gun, threatening to shoot Massey directly in the face. Faced with both officers aiming at her, Massey uttered an apology and dropped to the ground, surrendering with her hands up. Despite only five seconds passing since they drew their weapons, Grayson opened fire, with one bullet hitting Massey in the face.
Following the discharge of the firearm, Grayson exhibited a detached demeanor, treating the incident as a procedural matter. While Deputy [Unknown Name] initiated first aid measures, Grayson offered dismissive statements such as “there’s nothing we can do” and “allow her to bleed out,” delaying critical intervention for approximately two minutes.
In an attempt to exonerate himself, Grayson lied on his bodycam, claiming Massey attacked him with boiling water, implying she initiated the confrontation.
The recent release of video footage from the Massey incident has resulted in widespread condemnation of both law enforcement actions and the local justice system. The family of the deceased, represented by prominent civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, held a press conference demanding a thorough and impartial investigation. Mr. Crump characterized the shooting as a “senseless tragedy.”
In the wake of the video’s release, protests demanding justice erupted across Springfield and neighboring communities. Social media overflowed with anger and calls for accountability.
The family of #SonyaMassey has invited the community to come to 801 S. 11th St. tomorrow at 3pm. The family will be viewing the bodycam footage and we can show up and support them in this emotionally traumatizing time. We stand with the Massey family!!! #StandWithSonya pic.twitter.com/t3vapSWzsJ
— BLMSPI (@blmspi) July 17, 2024
In Sangamon County, a grand jury returned an indictment against Sean Grayson for first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Grayson surrendered to authorities and remains in custody without bond. He entered a plea of not guilty at his pre-trial hearing held on July 19th.
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17 comments
His partner directed her to go deal with the pot on the stove. She goes to do it and then they use that as an excuse to kill her. This seemed coordinated. The shot her when she was on the ground and the pot was still on the counter.
That officer definitely has ptsd the way he reacted blame it on racism like always tho huh
At 1:40, she literally said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” and then motioned with the pot towards them. Were they just supposed to let her toss boiling water on them? That’s definitely not in their job description. I doubt anyone criticizing the police would let her throw it on them either; they would have acted the same way in self-defense. As a side note, she even said sorry and then moved again with the pot, showing she made a threat and a motion at them.
Are we watching the same video?because what i saw is them pull their guns, as she ducks while promptly apologizing, and then they move closer to her as she’s ducked telling her to drop the pot which is still on the stove, and then they execute her.
Did u see her throw water or even attempt to throw water? She poured it out before he could even say put the pot down. It was empty when she raised it to her face to block the gun facing her. He shot a defenseless black woman.
I will say this over and over again. People of color should be policed by Officers of color. There would be much less of this happening.
The election and a cop killing an unarmed black person go hand in hand now. It’s like peanut butter and jelly
The fact that there are white folk out here condoning the death of Sonya Massey tell you everything that you need to know about white folk and why it is important to separate. It is also our duty to ensure that white infants pay for their ancestors sins.
I completely agree. It’s heartbreaking to hear about such incidents. We need to work together as a society to address systemic issues, promote understanding, and strive for justice and equality for all. Every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. Like sooner or later there might just be a racial/civil war and white people gonna be acting all lost stupid and surprised when the shoes on the other foot and they getting their doors kicked in and killed in their own homes. They really need to fix this and make these people have some real punishment.
Shouldn’t make any jokes with cops like that. Protect yourself. Cops are on edge and don’t need much an excuse to turn it up a notch
So she deserved to die?
She was boiling water to protect herself frm the ppl she thought was lurking around her house. When the officer asked her to turn the 🔥off she did so and poured the water out in the sink. She made a light joke to one of the cops and the other one took offense & threatened her.
How do you know she was making it to protect herself?
Watch the whole body cam video from beginning to end to gain context.
I did. I must have missed that part.
Wow
He’s a fucking moron.