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An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with murder after fatally shooting an unarmed Black woman, who called 911 for help. Body camera footage shows the deputy shooting the 36-year-old unarmed woman after an argument at her home. US President Joe Biden reacted to the killing.
In Short
- Body-camera footage shows Illinois deputy shooting unarmed Black woman
- Deputy Sean Grayson charged with first-degree murder after the incident
- President Biden and Massey’s family demand justice and legislative action
US prosecutors have released body-camera footage showing an Illinois sheriff’s deputy shooting a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman in the face in her home after she called 911 to report a prowler. The deputy fired three shots, with one bullet hitting Sonya Massey in the face, leading to her death. The video shows Massey trying to unsuccessfully duck the bullet.
The footage, made public on Monday (July 22), came five days after Deputy Sean Grayson was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday.
On July 6, Grayson and another deputy responded to Massey’s 911 call. After inspecting the property and discovering that a car had been broken into but finding no prowler, they entered her home and engaged in a seemingly normal conversation with her for 18 minutes.
However, the situation turned deadly when Grayson ordered Massey to drop a pot of hot water and then shot her in the face.
Grayson faces indictments for first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct following an extensive investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
According to records, he is currently being held at Menard County Detention Facility.
If found guilty of the murder charges, Grayson could be sentenced to life in prison, as reported by The Washington Post.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family, called the shooting “heinous” and “senseless on every level”.
“She [Massey] needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to the face,” Crump said.
The video shows Grayson and the other deputy walking toward the kitchen, where Grayson noticed a pot on the stove.
Massey removed the pot, and as the other deputy backed up into the living room, she asked, “Where are you going?”
Grayson responded, “Away from your hot, steaming water.”
Massey then said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson warned her not to, saying, “I swear to God I’ll shoot you right in your face.”
He then drew his gun and pointed it at her, despite having cover and being some distance away.
Massey ducked behind the cabinets, saying, “Okay, I’m sorry.”
Grayson came toward her, “aggressively yelled” at her, and fired three shots, hitting her once in the face.
Massey, 36, was rushed to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, where she later died, reported the Washington Post.
President Joe Biden responded to the incident.
“Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today. Sonya’s death at the hands of a police officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not,” wrote President Biden on X.
Massey’s family is demanding justice, with her father, James Wilburn, challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the legislation to the floor and make representatives vote on it.
“Every member of Congress needs to vote today,” he said, “so that nobody else in this United States of America has to go through what we’re going through,” reported the Washington Post.
INDIA TODAY