Officials and Biden respond after bodycam video

Local officials, Illinois lawmakers and President Biden called the shooting of Sonya Massey “unthinkable, senseless,” “shocking, horrific and heartbreaking” after video of the Black woman’s fatal encounter with a white police officer was made public Monday afternoon.

The 36 minutes of bodycam footage shows the rapid escalation that led to Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean P. Grayson shooting and killing Sonya Massey, 36, in her Springfield, Illinois, home.

Grayson and another officer responded to Massey’s home on July 6 after she called 911 to report a possible intruder. In the bodycam video, Grayson can be heard yelling at Massey to move a pot of boiling water from the stove to the sink. He then threatens to shoot her in the face, yelling, “Drop the f***ing pot.” The video shows Massey ducking down before Grayson shoots her three times, including a fatal shot to the head.

Grayson, 30, of Riverton, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and official misconduct. He remains in custody without bail.

The disturbing video was posted Monday on the Illinois State Police YouTube channel and sparked national outrage. Local, state and federal officials responded to the deadly confrontation, which sparked a number of protests, including one that drew about 200 people to the NAACP building in Springfield on Wednesday afternoon.

Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden “grieve with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones and community during this devastating time.”

“Sonya’s family deserves justice,” Biden added. “I grieve for her children and her entire family as they deal with this unthinkable and senseless loss.”

U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, said she was “shocked, horrified and heartbroken” by the footage and said the incident was “an act of senseless and unjustified violence — and an affront to our humanity.”

Other Illinois lawmakers also weighed in. Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said, “Nothing can prepare our community for such a blatant disregard for human life” and urged people to come together “to seek justice and do everything we can to prevent another black man or woman from being unjustly murdered.”

Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said he was “shocked and horrified” by the footage and that even in his years as a prosecutor he had “never seen anything like it.”

“My condolences go out to Sonya and her family, who will remain in my thoughts and prayers,” he said, adding: “The officer who committed this murder is exactly where he belongs, in prison.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a statement in response to the body camera footage, calling the footage “horrific.”

“I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Sonya Massey as they relive a moment that no family should have to go through,” Raoul added. “As the community reacts to the release of the footage, I urge calm as this case makes its way through the criminal justice system.”

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher said “there is no excuse for this violent act” and thanked the state police and the Sangamon County District Attorney’s Office “for their swift investigation into this event and taking the necessary steps to obtain justice for Sonya.”

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, “The murder of Sonya Massey is inexcusable, disgraceful and an appalling disregard for basic humanity.”

“Sonya’s murder is a heartbreaking injustice to her, her loved ones and everyone who sees themselves represented in her story. She was a mother, a daughter and a human being whose memory will not be forgotten.”

At Massey’s funeral on Friday, days before the body-cam footage was released, prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump said the video would “shock the conscience of America, just as the photographs of Emmett Till after he was lynched did.” The 1955 lynching of the 14-year-old boy in Mississippi helped revive the civil rights movement.

Crump added that just as the George Floyd video was a catalyst for the Black community in the 2020 presidential election, Massey’s video will have “the same impact” on the 2024 election.

“It’s so senseless, so unnecessary, so unjust, so unconstitutional,” Crump said. “This video is tragic on every level.”

Contributors: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY