Say Her Name: Disturbing Body Cam Footage Of Sonya Massey Shooting Sparks Outrage

The heartless police shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Illinois, is making national news after disturbing body-camera footage showed the final moments leading up to her death. Celebrities, politicians and social media users are mourning the tragic loss of the mother and calling for justice. 

According to CNN, Massey had called 911 on July 6 to report a possible prowler at her Springfield home but was fatally shot by police. Body cam footage shows Massey speaking calmly with two Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies, including Deputy Sean Grayson, who ultimately shot her. At the beginning of the video, the matriarch is seen sitting on her couch and later moving to her stove to turn off a pot of boiling water. However, when she picks up the pot, the officer, who remains unnamed, warns her to step “away” from her hot steaming water.

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey replies during the 36-minute-long video.

“Huh?” the deputy responds. 

Massey repeats “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” again, fueling Grayson to shout, “You better f**king not or I swear to God I’ll f**king shoot you in the f**king face.”

Both officers draw their guns, shouting at the mother of two to release the boiling pot of hot water. Sadly, Massey can be heard saying, “I’m sorry” shortly before three shots are fired in the background.

After a few seconds of silence, the unnamed deputy says “Shots fired” and calls medical backup.

“Dude, I’m not taking f**king boiling water to the f**king head. And look, it came right to our feet, too,” Grayson shouts, before he later refers to Massey as a “crazy bitch.”

According to charging documents, CNN reported that Deputy Sean Grayson did not activate his body camera until after he fatally shot Sonya Massey. In contrast, the other deputy had activated his body camera upon arriving at the scene, as detailed in the documents.

Before the shooting occurred, both officers surveyed the premises of Massey’s Springfield home and found a black SUV with broken windows, according to NBC News Chicago. 

“It took Massey three minutes to open the door after the deputies knocked, and she immediately said, ‘Don’t hurt me,’” the outlet noted. “She seemed confused as they spoke at the door, and she repeated that she needed help, referenced God, and told them she didn’t know who owned the car.”

Reactions To Sonya Massey Shooting

Following the release of the shocking footage on July 22, social media users rallied around X, demanding justice for the Illinois matriarch. Many called for an end to violence against Black women in their homes, drawing parallels to previous victims such as Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson who faced similar injustices at the hands of law enforcement over the past decade.

Vice Presdient Kamala Harris issued a statement, standing by President Biden’s response and calling for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Sonya Massey deserved to be safe. After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home at the hands of a responding officer sworn to protect and serve. Doug and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in grieving her senseless death.

Sonya Massey deserved to be safe. After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home at the hands of a responding officer sworn to protect and serve. Doug and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in grieving her senseless death.

Solange Knowles was among those voicing their support for Massey’s justice.

“First words Sonya Massey said at her front door were ‘Don’t hurt me.’ She was told ‘Why would we hurt you, you called us,” the songstress’s post read. 

“When have those words meant anything when your Black and woman in this country? When do those words protect you from not being murdered in your kitchen, in your bedroom, with your babies, or on your lawn? What is ‘reassurance’ in this place? Rest in power Sonya Massey, and an abundance of love and power to Sonya’s family on this journey.”

first words Sonya Massey said at her front door were “don’t hurt me”

she was told “why would we hurt you, you called us”

when have those words meant anything when your black and woman in this country

when do those words protect you from not being murdered in your kitchen,…

— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) July 23, 2024

Officer Grayson was charged. 

Grayson, 30, was indicted by a grand jury last week on charges including three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and one count of official misconduct. Court records indicate he entered a not-guilty plea and was denied pretrial release. 

During a news conference on Monday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, accompanied by members of Massey’s family, stated that Massey faced mental health challenges but had not exhibited aggression toward the deputies.

“She needed a helping hand,” Crump said. “She didn’t need a bullet to the face.”

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, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Illinois, was tragically shot by officers in her home after calling 911 to report a prowler.
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