Biden issues statement on police shooting of Sonya Massey – NBC Chicago

Minutes after body camera footage was released Monday showing the fatal shooting of a woman who called 911 in Illinois, President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning the deputy’s actions and saying Sonya Massey “should be alive today.”

“Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter and young Black woman, should be alive today,” Biden said in a statement. “Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a possible intruder. When we call for help, all of us as Americans – regardless of 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 police officer reminds us that all too often, Black Americans fear for their safety in a way that many of us do not.”

Officials in Springfield released video showing police entering Massey’s home after she called 911 for help from a possible intruder. A violent scene ensued when a deputy shot her in the face over a pot of water and refused to provide medical aid in the minutes that followed.

The shooting resulted in a first-degree murder charge against former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.

Ben Crump, the prominent civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family, told the crowd at her funeral in Springfield that the video would expose a crime as horrifying as the 1955 lynching of Chicago teenager Emmitt Till in Mississippi, the shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police and the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

As questions surrounding the incident grew, the Sangamon County District Attorney’s Office released several edited video segments totaling about 35 minutes on Monday.

Body-worn camera footage of the July 6 incident shows Sheriff’s Office officers arriving at Massey’s home and spending several minutes searching the surrounding yards before eventually meeting Massey at her front door.

The two officers who responded to the 911 call said they searched the area but found no one, to which Massey replied, “Please God, please God, I’m trying to get help from all of you.”

Officers then ask – repeatedly – ​​what Massey needs help with, and the Springfield woman responds that she heard someone outside. Officers then ask her name and follow her into the house.

While Grayson is talking to Massey, his partner begins searching various rooms in the house, the footage shows. Officers then ask for her identification so they can “stop pestering her.”

After getting Grayson’s permission, Massey walks over to her stove, grabs a pot of boiling water sitting on it, and asks the officers, “Where are you going?” as they back away.

“… Get away from your hot, steamy water,” an official said.

Massey is then heard saying, “I will rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

According to the footage, Grayson then pulled out his 9mm pistol and threatened to shoot Massey.

Massey can be heard apologizing as she ducks behind her kitchen counter before Grayson fires shots.

Grayson, who is white, did not activate his body camera until after he fired the shots. The released footage was captured by his partner’s body camera.

According to the footage, Grayson advised his partner not to provide medical attention to Massey due to the severity of her injuries.

“Not a shot to the head…” he says on the body camera video. “She’s done. You can get (a first aid kit), but that’s a shot to the head.”

Speaking to his partner, Grayson said he would not “put damn boiling water in your face.”

The other deputy provided emergency assistance and remained with Massey until medical personnel arrived.

“She’s still gasping for air a little bit,” he is heard saying as he holds a rag to her head, while Grayson appears to say in the background that he’s “not going to waste” his first aid kit.

Grayson was released last week. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and abuse of office.

If convicted, he faces 45 to life in prison for murder, six to 30 years for assault and two to five years for misdemeanor. His attorney, Daniel Fultz, declined to comment on Monday.

Massey’s death sparked subsequent protests demanding justice in the case. Massey’s father, James Wilburn, echoed that demand at her funeral and said he was encouraged by the speed with which the Illinois State Police, who investigated the incident, and Milhiser responded.

“Within 10 days, they convened a grand jury. They completed their investigation. They arrested him and fired him,” Wilburn said. “That’s outrageous.”

Biden reiterated this view in his statement on Monday.

“Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they endure this unimaginable and senseless loss. Jill and I grieve with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones and community during this devastating time,” the statement said. “I commend the swift actions of the Springfield District Attorney’s Office. As we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort those who grieve.”