Family urges justice after fatal police shooting of Sonya Massey in Springfield – NBC Chicago

Relatives of a Springfield woman fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy expressed outrage Monday over what happened leading up to the shooting. Authorities released video of the confrontation.

Sonya Massey called police just before 2 a.m. on July 6 to report a suspected intruder. Two officers arrived, asked Massey for her ID, and then Massey turned her attention to a pot of boiling water on the stove.

After being given permission to move it, the mother of two said something, after which Officer Sean Grayson threatened to shoot her.

“Her words were, ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,’” attorney Ben Crump said.

Grayson, saying he felt threatened by the boiling water, fired his weapon, hitting Massey in the head.

Authorities in Springfield have released police body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. The shooting occurred during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home.

As she stares down the barrel of the gun, she says, ‘Sir, I’m sorry.’ She stumbles and as she gets back up, he shoots her in the face.”

The video, released Monday, was blurred by Illinois State Police.

Grayson is seen on the bodycam footage telling his partner not to provide medical attention due to the severity of the injuries.

“He could have done anything, created distance, used a Taser, called for backup, but he fought back,” Crump said.

Massey’s family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump called the shooting senseless, unnecessary, unjust and unconstitutional.

“The only time I’m going to see my baby again is when I leave this world,” said Massey’s father, James Wilburn. “I don’t want anyone else in the United States to ever come to this competition again.”

President Biden released a statement saying, “Sonya should be alive today.”

He added that Sonya’s family deserves justice and that Congress should now pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

At Chicago police headquarters, a small group of relatives and supporters of loved ones killed by police gathered. Many chanted, “Say her name — Sonya Massey.”

“We are tired of the police treating us this way,” said Carolyn Ruff, an attorney for the family of Dexter Reed Jr. “We are tired of our children not trusting the police.”

Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, called the video heartbreaking and called for swift accountability.

“This is just another finishing touch to a very serious trend in this country around police brutality,” said Kyle Bibby, interim director of campaigns and programs at Color of Change.

The Sangamon County Sheriff released a statement on Facebook, saying in part:
“…Massey lost her life because of an unjustified and reckless decision…” adding that “Grayson had other options…” and “…his actions were inexcusable…”

Grayson, who was fired after the incident, was charged with murder, assault and misdemeanor assault. If convicted, he faces 45 years to life in prison for murder, six to 30 years for assault and two to five years for misdemeanor assault.