- author, Max Matza
- stock, BBC News
-
Illinois police have released bodycam footage showing the disturbing moments that led to the shooting death of a woman who called 911 to report a suspicious intruder at her home.
The slaying of 36-year-old Sonia Massey over Independence Day weekend has led to criminal charges against one of the officers who responded to her home and has drawn condemnation from President Joe Biden.
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired from the police force and faces charges of manslaughter and official misconduct.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
On Monday, Illinois State Police released bodycam footage showing officers yelling at Ms Massey to put down a pot of boiling water.
The incident began in the early morning hours of July 6 when Mssey called police to her home in Springfield, about 200 miles (320 km) south of Chicago, to report that she believed someone had broken into her property.
Deputies followed Ms. Massey as she entered her home and saw her searching for identification.
In the video, Mr Grayson sees a pot sitting on the stove, gesturing towards it and saying, “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.”
Mrs. Massey goes to the stove to remove the pot. She and Mr Grayson laughed at her pot of “scalding hot water” and said twice: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
“You’re fine [expletive] No or I swear to God [expletive] Shoot yourself in yourself [expletive] face,” says Mr Grayson. He then draws his pistol as he shouts for the pot to be dropped.
“Okay, sorry,” Mssey is heard saying before she ducks.
After shooting her, the officer says: “What else to do? I’m not hot [expletive] Boiling water [expletive] face.”
On Monday, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office said Mr. Grayson’s use of force on Ms. Massey was unjustified.
In a statement, President Biden said he was “heartbroken” for his family.
“Sonia Massey is a beloved mother, friend, daughter and young black woman who should be alive today,” she said.
“Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that black Americans often face fears for their safety in ways that many of us do not.”
Lawyers for Ms Massey’s family have praised prosecutors for taking swift action against Mr Grayson.
Attorney Benjamin Crump said the footage “shocks the conscience of America.”
“It is senseless, unnecessary, unjustifiable, unconstitutional,” he said.
