Black Woman Sonya Massey Fatally Shot by Illinois Police Officer; Biden and Harris Advocate for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
The fatal police shooting of a Black woman, Sonya Massey, in Illinois has ignited outrage across the U.S. State police released body camera footage showing a police officer shooting the 36-year-old inside her home. This prompted President Joe Biden to demand swift action against the officer involved and to push for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
In a post on X, Biden expressed his condolences, writing, “Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today. Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder. When we call for help, all of us as Americans – regardless of who we are or where we live – should be able to do so without fearing for our lives. Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.”
Biden urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, stating, “I commend the swift actions taken by the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office. While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also called on Congress to pass the bill. She expressed grief over the loss, stating, “Sonya Massey deserved to be safe. After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home by 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.”
Regarding the body camera footage, Harris noted the need for systemic changes, writing, “Our thoughts are also with the communities across our nation whose calls for help are often met with suspicion, distrust, and even violence. The disturbing footage released yesterday confirms what we know from the lived experiences of so many – we have much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name.”
What does the video show?
The body camera footage released by the police shows two officers talking to Massey at her door in Springfield, south of Chicago, on July 6, after she reported a potential intruder. The officers entered her home and spoke with her while she searched for her ID. After noticing a pot on a lit stove, one officer, Sean Grayson, commented, “We don’t need a fire while we are here.” Massey turned to switch off the stove and picked up the hot pot, causing the other officer to step back and say, “Away from your hot steaming water.”
Massey responded, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” repeating it. Grayson then threatened her, “You better fking not or I swear to God I’ll fking shoot you in the fking face,” and pointed his gun at her. Massey ducked and apologized as both officers commanded, “Drop the fking pot!” Suddenly, three shots were fired, and one officer called for emergency medical services.
Massey was declared dead at the hospital.
Family’s reaction
Massey’s family was unaware of the police involvement until the video was released. Her father, James Wilburn, said at a press conference, “I was under the impression that a prowler had broken in and killed my baby. Never did they say that it was a deputy-involved shooting until my brother read it on the internet.”
The family initially thought an intruder or someone nearby had killed her. Wilburn expressed shock upon learning it was a police officer who shot her. Referring to Black deaths in the country, Wilburn remarked, “You’re used to having ‘the talk’ with boys, but now I guess we have to talk to our girls about … their interactions with the police.”
Heartbroken over losing his daughter, Wilburn shared, “Sonya was a daddy’s girl. She never ended a conversation – whether by text or telephone or in person – without saying, ‘Daddy, I love you.’ And that’s the last message I have from my daughter that’s saved on my voicemail, was ‘Daddy, I love you’.”
Who is the accused?
The accused, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, has been fired from the police force and faces three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct charges. Grayson has pleaded not guilty and does not have bond, according to The New York Times. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office stated that Grayson was not justified in his use of deadly force.
State records indicate that 30-year-old Grayson worked for six different agencies in Illinois over four years, switching jobs between part-time and full-time positions at various departments and sheriff’s offices.
Similar to George Floyd’s killing
Massey’s death triggered a protest march in Springfield on Monday. A petition calling for an investigation into why Sangamon County hired Grayson was circulated at the march. Many likened Massey’s killing to the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family, linked her killing to other cases of police violence against Black individuals in the U.S. “It’s so senseless. I mean, it is disturbing. This video is reminiscent of the last presidential cycle in 2020 when the George Floyd video encouraged our community to act.”
Crump expressed hope that Massey’s case would galvanize the community, stating, “And in this 2024 election, I believe this Sonya Massey video is going to encourage our community to act – because Sonya Massey deserved better than this.” Massey joins the list of Black women, including Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson, who have been killed by police in their own homes in recent years.