Authorities in Illinois have just released disturbing body camera footage showing the moments before a sheriff’s deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman.
She was shot in her home and she was unarmed at the time.
Massey had called 911 to report someone suspicious outside her home, but the situation sadly got worse.
The officer involved, Deputy Sean Grayson from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has been fired and is now facing serious charges.
These include first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a gun, and official misconduct.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at Sangamon County Jail without bail.
The disturbing footage, recorded on July 6, was made public on Monday afternoon by the state attorney’s office and shared on YouTube by the Illinois State Police.
In the video, Deputy Grayson and another officer arrived at Massey’s home around 1 a.m.
They spent a few minutes checking out the property and talking with Massey on her front porch before going inside her house.
During their interaction, Massey seemed a bit hesitant but eventually gave her last name when Grayson asked for it.
He reassured her that she was not in trouble.
Massey offered to show the deputies some "paperwork," but Grayson requested her driver’s license, saying that was all he needed before leaving.
As Massey searched for her ID, Grayson commented on a pot of water boiling on the stove, saying, "We don’t need a fire in here."
Massey then removed the boiling pot of water from the stove using oven mitts.
Both deputies appear to back away as she does this.
Massey, seemingly trying to lighten the mood, says, "Away from the hot steaming water? Oh, I’ll rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
At this point, Grayson suddenly puts his hand on his gun and threatens her.
Before Massey could react, Grayson drew his gun and pointed it directly at her.
In a moment of panic, Massey said, "I’m sorry" and dropped to the ground with her hands raised.
Grayson and the other deputy ordered her to "drop the pot," and Grayson opened fire on Massey just like that.
He shot her three times, with at least one shot hitting her face.
Notably, Grayson did not activate his body camera until after he had fired the shots.
As the other deputy went to get a first aid kit, Grayson said that Massey "is done" and that the water from the pot she was holding had spilled "right at our feet."
Grayson eventually went to get the med kit while his partner tried to assist Massey, who was still gasping.
Massey was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
When other officials arrived, Grayson described the situation, saying Massey "had boiling water and came at me, with boiling water"
He also told them about her statement where she "rebuked him in the name of Jesus".
An expert on the use of force, who reviewed all the available footage, concluded that Grayson’s use of deadly force was unjustified.
Following the release of the video, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement condemning the incident as "horrific."
"The body camera footage is horrific, and I offer my deepest sympathy to Sonya Massey’s family as they relive a moment no family should experience," Raoul said.
"As the community reacts to the release of the footage, I urge calm as this matter works its way through the criminal justice system. In Illinois, we have ensured that the law mandates independent investigations after officer-involved shootings. This investigation by the Illinois State Police and the subsequent referral to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office appears to have met the legal requirements for transparency and accountability."
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