Illinois police to release video of officer’s fatal shooting of Black woman in her home

The police officer involved in the crime, Sean Grayson, was leveled with three charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

This undated photo provided by the family's lawyers in July 2024 shows Sonya Massey of Springfield, Ill. Prosecutors have charged Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson with murdering Massey while responding to an emergency call at her home July 6, 2024, saying in court records that he shot her in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home. (Courtesy Ben Crump Law via AP)

In a horrific incident reported from Springfield, Illinois, a woman was shot dead by a police officer after she had called the emergency 911 to report a possible intrusion.

The police officer involved in the crime, Sean Grayson, was leveled with three charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct and has since been fired from the service, a statement by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said.

The Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson shot the 36-year-old Sonya Massey in the face.

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Now, Attorney Milhiser is bound to release the body cam footage of the violent incident which ensued in the home of Massey.

The Illinois State Police announced on Monday that the video will be released, reported the Associated Press.

Ben Crump, civil rights advocate and Sonya Massey’s family lawyer, addressed a crowd at Sonya’s funeral and stated that the video footage of the incident will reveal the startling crime’s entire story.

According to the Associated Press, Crump said “It is going to shock the conscience of America. It is that senseless, that unnecessary, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional”.

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“This sheriff’s deputy was twice as large as Sonya. Why would you have to use a gun to shoot her in the head?” Crump, who has planned a press conference after the release of the video, said.

Sonya, who was a Black called upon the emergency services when she suspected an intrusion. Sean Grayson, who is a white, arrived with one of his deputies at the scene and entered the house.

Grayson asked Sonya to move a pot from the stove after he noticed it. She put it on the counter but acknowledged that Grayson had pulled out his 9mm pistol and threatened to shoot her.

Sonya ducked after apologising but Grayson approached and shot her, the prosecutors have said, as reported by AP. Grayson has denied all the charges leveled against him.

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