THE harrowing body cam footage from the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey by a white police officer has been released by authorities.
Massey, a black woman from Illinois was shot three times by Deputy Sean Grayson on July 6 after she called the cops about a suspected “prowler” at her home.
The 30-year-old police officer has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody without bond until his next court appearance on August 26.
After his grand jury indictment last week, the Illinois State Police shared the bodycam footage of the moments leading up to the fatal shooting on YouTube.
The clip was shared on Monday after being delayed by Massey’s family.
Two sheriff deputies can be seen arriving at the 36-year-old’s home in Springfield around 1 am when they search the outside of the property for the alleged ‘prowler.’
When Massey answered the door she immediately told the officers, “Don’t hurt me” before telling them that she saw someone outside the property and that the vehicle in her driveway was not hers.
The single mother appeared confused, repeatedly saying “Please God” before adding, “I’m trying to get help” as she scrolled on her phone and officers reassured her that no one was around the property.
After further discussing the vehicle in the driveway, both officers entered the property and searched some of the rooms before taking her ID.
They had previously discussed Massey’s mental health during which she noted that she has medication for such issues.
Grayson’s attention then turned to a pot on the stove saying to Massey “We don’t need a fire while we’re here” which saw her turn the stove off and move the hot pan.
Massey then asked the officers who were backing up slightly where they were going and they replied, “Away from your hot steaming water” in what appeared to be a joke between the trio.
However, the situation took a quick and bizarre turn as Massey said to Grayson, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” while she held the pot of hot water and Grayson’s hands moved to his firearm.
“You better f****** not or I swear to God I’ll f***** shoot you in your f****** face,” Grayson shouted before putting his 9mm pistol on her and ordering her to drop the pot.
Massey immediately ducked behind the counter, raising her hands and saying “sorry” as both officers pointed their weapons at her.
The woman started screaming before Grayson fired three shots, one a fatal headshot.
The second officer said he would get his medical kit but Grayson replied, “That’s a headshot she’s done.”
It will shock America’s conscience. It is that senseless, that unnecessary, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional.
Benjamin Crump
“What else do we do? I’m not taking hot (expletive) boiling water to the (expletive) face,” he later added.
The pair then got their medical kits as they realized Massey was still breathing and they attempted to stem the bleeding.
Massey was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
“She had boiling water and came at me, with boiling water,” Grayson told officers.
“She said she was going to rebuke me in the name of Jesus and came at me with boiling water.”
While his partner had turned on his body camera, Grayson allegedly refused to turn on his own until after the shooting took place, according to The Daily Mail.
The released footage appears to support arguments made by prosecutors that Grayson deterred his partner from getting his kit to help Massey.
Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms Massey,” First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Rodgers stated.
“The other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical help arrived,” she added.
The footage has been called “horrific” by the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
He offered Massey’s family his “deepest sympathy” saying that the footage means “they relive a moment no family should experience.”
The disgraced deputy worked with the Sheriff’s Department since May last year and has been a cop since August 2020.
Grayson has been fired from the police department as a result of the fatal shooting.
He was denied bail and will remain in jail until his trial after a judge ruled last week that he could pose a risk to the community.
The ex-police officer could face life in prison if he is convicted.
Massey’s funeral was held on Friday and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump accompanied her family.
“It is a very disturbing video,” the attorney said.
“It will shock America’s conscience. It is that senseless, that unnecessary, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional.”
The attorney blasted Grayson’s justification for the shooting calling it “revisionist” and “disingenuous.”
“She needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to her face,”
President Joe Biden released a statement condemning the killing of Massey, saying “Sonya’s family deserves justice.”
“Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman should be alive today,” the President said.
“Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential 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 fearing for our lives.”
“I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss,” he added.
Grayson’s attorney declined to comment after the release of the footage on Monday.
