EGN NEWS DESK
Body-worn digital camera footage shared by the Illinois State Police on Monday confirmed a deputy capturing a Black lady after she referred to as 911 to report an intruder.
The harrowing video, launched on Monday afternoon, reveals former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, and one other deputy knocking on the door of 36-year-old Sonya Massey after she referred to as police to report a “prowler,” within the early morning hours of July 6.
In the video, Massey permits Grayson and one other deputy, whose title authorities haven’t revealed, to enter her Springfield dwelling. The two deputies may be seen asking Massey for her title and identification. At one level within the video, Grayson seems to level his finger towards Massey’s kitchen, the place a pot of boiling water is sitting on the range. Massey then strikes to seize the pot off the range, as one of many deputies may be heard saying, “We don’t want a fireplace whereas we’re right here.”
Massey then says, “I rebuke you within the title of Jesus” to which Grayson says, “You higher f-cking not, I swear to God. I’ll f-cking shoot you proper in your f-cking face.”
Massey instantly apologizes, and Grayson pulls out his gun and factors it at her, telling her to “drop the f-cking pot.” Massey crouches down, and Grayson then fires three pictures, considered one of which hit Massey, authorities had beforehand mentioned.
The different deputy may be heard saying within the footage that he was going to get a medical equipment from his car. But within the video, Grayson tells him to not as a result of Massey was shot within the head. Grayson didn’t have his body-cam on till after the capturing whereas the opposite deputy’s body-cam recorded your entire encounter.
The different deputy may be seen rendering support to Massey till an ambulance arrived. Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon mentioned in a Facebook publish on July 8 that preliminary findings of an post-mortem reveal that Massey died from a gunshot wound.
The footage was launched simply days after Grayson was arraigned in Sangamon County Court on three counts of first-degree homicide, in addition to one rely of aggravated battery with a firearm and one other of official misconduct, based on courtroom data. Grayson pleaded not responsible to all costs.
Massey’s household has employed famend civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, who mentioned at Massey’s funeral on Friday that the footage would present against the law similar to the lynching of Chicago teenager Emmett Till in Mississippi, the homicide of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer, and the homicide of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
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Illinois State Police investigated the capturing, and Grayson was later terminated from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the workplace introduced Wednesday. The workplace additionally apologized to Massey’s household and associates, calling the capturing a “tragic incident.”
“It is evident that the deputy didn’t act as educated or in accordance with our requirements,” the Sheriff’s Office mentioned in a Facebook publish. “The actions taken by Deputy Grayson don’t replicate the values and coaching of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or legislation enforcement as an entire.”
Massey’s funeral was held on Friday at Ruby Funeral Services and Chapel in Springfield.
“Today is about peace, right now is about my huge sister. It’s not about that man that’s gonna rot in jail, it’s about my huge sister,” Massey’s youthful sister, Breeanna Toles, mentioned on the service.
Massey’s household watched the physique cam footage for the primary time on Wednesday. Massey’s demise has gained nationwide consideration and sparked protests in Springfield. On Wednesday, about 200 individuals gathered on the Springfield NAACP constructing to precise solidarity with Massey and her household.
Grayson was remanded to the custody of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office whereas awaiting trial, based on courtroom data. His subsequent listening to is scheduled for Aug. 26.
President Joe Biden launched a press release Monday, saying that he was “heartbroken” for Massey’s household and that her household “deserves justice.”
“Sonya Massey, a beloved mom, good friend, daughter, and younger Black lady, needs to be alive right now,” the President mentioned. “When we name for assist, all of us as Americans—no matter who we’re or the place we reside—ought to have the option to take action with out fearing for our lives. Sonya’s demise by the hands of a responding officer reminds us that each one too usually Black Americans face fears for his or her security in methods lots of the remainder of us don’t.”
Crump can be holding a press convention after the footage is launched Monday at 4:45 EST.
This is a creating information story.
