Bodycam Video Shows US Policeman Fatally Shooting Black Woman in Her Home

An Unlawful Use of Deadly Force

A police body camera has captured a distressing scene in Springfield, Illinois, where a white police officer has shot and killed a 36-year-old Black woman in her own home. The victim, Sonya Massey, had called 911 to report a suspected intruder when the shooting took place on July 6.

Deputy Sean Grayson, the officer involved in the incident, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. The Illinois State Police released the 36-minute long video footage on Monday, documenting the moments that led up to and followed the fatal confrontation.

A Tense Encounter Within the Home

The video reveals that two deputies arrived at Massey’s home around 1am, their tension palpable as they entered her home. Massey, who had previously undergone treatment for mental health issues, appeared visibly confused and immediately pleaded, “Don’t hurt me.”

Grayson is seen pointing at a pot on a lit stove, commenting that there was no need for an open flame while the officers were present. Massey retrieves the pot, prompting Grayson to draw his 9mm pistol and aim at her. Even after Massey apologizes and ducks behind the kitchen counter, Grayson and his partner continue to scream at her to drop the pot, before Grayson shoots three times—one shot fatally wounding Massey in the head.

Scathing Criticism and Demands for Transparency

Following the shooting, Grayson is heard discouraging his partner from retrieving a medical kit. Upon being questioned by other officers, he justified his actions, saying, “She had boiling water and came at me.”

The department swiftly discharged Grayson, stating that his actions did not follow their standard training procedures. Still, this swift action provides little solace to the grieving family of Sonya Massey and a public shaken by yet another incident of lethal force used against an unarmed Black American.

Ben Crump, the family’s lawyer, vehemently criticized Grayson’s defense as “disingenuous” during a Monday news conference, remarking that the shooting would “shock the conscience of America.” He emphasized that what Massey needed was help, not a bullet to her face.

James Wilburn, Massey’s father, urged the county court system to be completely transparent with the public regarding their investigation and prosecution. Moreover, President Joe Biden released a statement on Massey’s death, evidencing the high-profile attention this incident has garnered.

Police Shootings in the Home: A Troubling Pattern

Sonya Massey’s death marks another instance in the growing list of Black people fatally shot by police in their own homes. Police encounters that turn deadly are not uncommon: in May, a Hispanic Florida sheriff’s deputy fatally shot Roger Fortson, an Air Force senior airman. In 2018, a Dallas police officer mistook Botham Jean’s apartment for her own and shot him fatally, leading to her conviction for murder.

These incidents, including the notorious killing of George Floyd, have revitalized demands for police reform. Despite the introduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in 2021, legislative action has stalled. These cases underscore the urgency of systemic changes to policing in the United States, prompting responses both locally and nationally.