What We Know About the Fatal Police Shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black Woman Who Called 911 for Help – NBC Chicago

President Biden Releases Statement on Shooting of Sonya Massey

In a statement, President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were praying for Massey’s family “as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss.”

“Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today,” the statement said. “Sonya called police because she was concerned about a potential intruder. When we call for help, all of us as Americans, no matter who we are or where we live, should be able to do so without fear for our lives. Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer is a reminder that Black Americans too often fear for their safety in ways that many of us do not.”

Massey’s death is the latest example of a group of black people being murdered in their homes by police in recent years.

In May, a Hispanic Florida sheriff’s deputy fatally shot Roger Fortson when the senior Air Force officer opened the door of his Fort Walton Beach home with a gun pointed downward. The deputy, Eddie Duran, was fired.

In 2019, a white Fort Worth, Texas, police officer fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson through the back window of her home after responding to a non-emergency call that Jefferson’s front door was open. Aaron Dean, the former officer, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison.

In 2018, a white Dallas police officer shot and killed Botham Jean, who was unarmed, after mistaking his apartment for hers. Amber Guyger, the former officer, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Crump has at least represented families as part of his push to force accountability for the police killings of Black people. Crump has also represented family members of Earl Moore, a Springfield man who died after being strapped facedown to a gurney in December 2022. Two emergency room workers are charged with murder in that case.

Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson Charged with Murder

Prosecutors alleged that after Grayson had Massey move a pot of boiling water on the stove and she placed it on the counter, Grayson then “aggressively” yelled at Massey over the pot and pulled out his 9mm pistol. Massey then threw her hands in the air, said “I’m sorry” and dove for cover before she was shot in the face. Grayson also discouraged the other officer from getting his first aid kit, prosecutors said.

“The other deputy continued to render aid and remained with Ms. Massey until medical assistance arrived,” wrote Mary Rodgers, the first assistant district attorney. Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms. Massey.”

Grayson, 30, who is white, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance on Thursday.

More than 30 Massey family members and their supporters were in court last week, several of whom declined to comment afterward.

No one disputed the State’s contention that the body camera footage of the incident satisfied the first requirement for a warrant to arrest Grayson, namely, that there be a strong suspicion that the acts alleged in the indictment actually occurred.

“At no point did this defendant show anything other than callousness toward human life,” Rodgers said.

Defense attorney Dan Fultz argued for Grayson’s release, claiming the state’s arguments fell short on other arguments. Fultz said Grayson poses no threat to the community because he cooperated and turned himself in within a half hour of his arrest warrant being issued.

He said the Army veteran owns a home in Riverton, a community just east of Springfield, with his fiancée, whom he plans to marry this fall. His detention would be a burden on the county, he said, because of stage 3 colon cancer diagnosed last fall that requires special medical treatment.

Fultz requested Grayson’s release on the conditions that the weapons be removed from his home, that he undergo a mental health evaluation, and that he be placed under 24-hour electronic monitoring.

Cadagin ruled that Massey, who weighed about 110 pounds, posed no threat to the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Grayson, who was armed and accompanied by another officer. After shooting her, he refused to render aid.

Sheriff Jack Campbell said Wednesday that Grayson was fired because it was clear the officer “did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. … With our badge we accept a tremendous responsibility, and when that responsibility is abused there must be consequences.”

Ben Crump, an attorney for Massey’s family, said the charges are a “step toward justice for Sonya’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since learning of this tragedy.”

On Wednesday, about 200 people gathered at the NAACP building in Springfield to show their support for Massey and her family.

“I am outraged that yet another innocent black woman’s life has been taken by a police officer,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said in a statement after the charge.

Grayson is due back in court on Aug. 26. Fultz said he has been with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office for about 18 months, after spending about seven years as an officer with various other police departments in central Illinois.