Bodycam reveals police shooting of Illinois woman who called 911 for help
Authorities have released body camera video showing Illinois woman Sonya Massey being fatally shot in her home by police, amid calls for justice from her family and protests over her death.
Massey, 36, called 911 for help from her home in Springfield at about 1 a.m. on July 6, saying she thought she heard an intruder outside, the Illinois State Police said.
Former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Massey in the face while responding to the call with another deputy, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said.
In the 36-minute body camera video released on July 22, Massey is seen in her bathrobe telling the deputies she "heard somebody outside."
A deputy identified by prosecutors as Grayson tells her they checked her backyard. As they chat, Massey at times appears confused. Her family said at a press conference on July 22 alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump that she suffered from mental health issues.
"I’m trying to get help, y’all," Massey says in the video.
"What do you need help with?" a deputy asks.
"Nothing," Massey says. "Please God, please God, please God."
Minutes later, the deputies and Massey enter her home.
After a discussion about her ID, Massey walks into her kitchen and picks up what appears to be a pot of boiling water from her stove.
"Where you are going?" she asks the deputies.
"Away from your hot, steaming water," Grayson responds.
"I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," she says.
“You better f--- not, I swear to God, I’ll f---- shoot you right in your f------ face,” Grayson responds, drawing his gun.
"OK, I’m sorry!" Massey responds, before ducking behind the counter.
The second deputy also draws his gun, and Grayson yells "Drop the f--- pot!" repeatedly before three shots are heard, according to the bodycam footage.
The coroner later confirmed the mother of two was fatally shot in the head.
In the video, moments after the shooting, Grayson speaks to the second deputy, who hasn't been identified.
"I’m not taking hot boiling water to the f---- face," Grayson says.
Grayson was fired from his job with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department and has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, Milhiser said.
"He walked around the counter to get a better shot," Crump said at the news conference. "If you don’t fear for your life, you don’t walk towards the person."
Grayson pleaded not guilty to the charges last week, his attorney told NBC News.
His attorney declined comment after the release of the body camera footage.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell released a statement on Facebook following the release of the footage.
"Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson," the statement said. "Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or training of our office.
"He will now face judgment by the criminal justice system and will never again work in law enforcement."
President Joe Biden also issued a statement on July 22 saying Massey's death "reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not."
"Sonya’s family deserves justice," he added.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
