Newly released body camera footage reveals the shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, by police officers in Illinois after she called 911 to report a potential intruder. The incident has garnered national attention, with President Joe Biden stating that Massey “should be alive today.”
At a news conference, civil rights attorney Ben Crump described the shooting as “senseless,” and claimed that police initially attempted to downplay their responsibility. He asserted, “Equal justice is paramount,” emphasizing the family’s demand for a transparent investigation.
The footage shows Massey, 36, interacting with officers in her home after midnight on July 6. While checking on a pot of boiling water, Massey’s calm remark, “Oh, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” was met with a hostile response from one deputy who threatened, “You better fucking not. I swear to God I’ll fucking shoot you at your fucking face,” before opening fire as she crouched behind a counter.
Officer Sean Grayson, who is white, has been fired and charged with murder. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell condemned Grayson’s actions, calling them “unjustifiable and reckless.” Crump noted that Vice President Kamala Harris plans to meet with Massey’s family, reiterating that the authorities have promised a fair investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage, with many highlighting the frequent occurrence of police shootings involving minorities in the US. Crump criticized the initial police response, stating that officers misled the family by suggesting that a neighbor might have been responsible.
This shooting adds to the ongoing debate about police reform in the US, where the decentralized policing system lacks national training standards, making systemic change challenging.
