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

Relatives of a Springfield woman who was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy expressed outrage Monday over the events leading up to the shooting after authorities released footage of the altercation.

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

After receiving permission to move, the mother of two said something before Deputy Sean Grayson threatened to shoot her.

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

Grayson can be heard saying he felt threatened by the boiling water and fired his gun, hitting Massey in the head.

Authorities in Springfield have released police bodycam video showing the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, which occurred during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home.

As Massey 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 on Monday was redacted by the Illinois State Police.

Body camera video shows Grayson telling his partner not to provide medical attention due to the severity of her injuries.

“He could have done anything, created distance, used a taser, called for backup, but he struck,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Massey’s family and Crump called the shooting senseless, unnecessary, unjustifiable and unconstitutional.

“I won’t see my baby until I leave this world,” said Massey’s father, James Wilburn. “I don’t want anyone from the United States to ever join this league again.”

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

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

At Chicago Police headquarters, a small group of family members and supporters of loved ones killed by police gathered, many chanting, “Say her name – Sonya Massey.”

“We are tired of this police abuse,” said Carolyn Ruff, an attorney for the family of Dexter Reed Jr., who was killed in a police-involved shooting during a traffic stop in Chicago. “We are tired of it, this is why our children don’t trust the police.”

Color Of Change, the largest online racial justice organization in the country, calls the video heartbreaking and calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice quickly.

“Another point in the development of a very serious trend in police violence in this country,” said Kyle Bibby, interim director of campaigns and programs at Color of Change.

The Sangamon County Sheriff released a statement on Facebook that said, in part, “…Massey lost her life due to an unjustified and reckless decision…” and added that “Grayson had other options available to him…” and “…his actions were inexcusable…”

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