23.07.2024 11:30
The body camera footage of Sonya Massey, a black woman who was shot by a white police officer in Illinois, has been released. The footage shows Officer Sean Grayson pointing his gun at Massey, who is holding a pot of boiling water in the kitchen, and firing three shots. Grayson was fired from the department following the incident and is being tried for murder charges. President Joe Biden stated that the incident serves as a reminder of the security fears experienced by black Americans and emphasized that the Massey family deserves justice.
Footage of Black Woman Sonya Massey Being Shot by Police Released in Illinois
With permission from the Sangamon County Prosecutor's Office, body camera footage of Sonya Massey being shot by a white police officer was released on Monday.
The footage shows police officers arriving at Massey's home on July 6. Approximately 21 minutes later, Deputy Sheriff Sean Grayson is seen pointing his gun at Massey, who is holding a pot of boiling water in the kitchen. Shortly after telling Massey to drop the pot, Grayson fires three shots, hitting Massey in the face.
The conflict began when Grayson noticed the pot on the stove. The argument escalated, and Grayson pulled out his gun and made threats. When Massey apologized and bent down, Grayson opened fire.
After the incident, Grayson refused to help Massey and attempted to justify his actions. After the footage was released, the Illinois Attorney General described the incident as "horrific" and called for calm.
Grayson was fired from the department and is facing murder charges. Massey's family held a funeral with the support of civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
President Joe Biden also made a statement, noting that the incident reminded of the security fears faced by African Americans and stating that the Massey family deserves justice.