Washington: The release of disturbing body camera footage by the Illinois State Police on Monday has stirred national concern and yet again exposed faultlines in America’s policing. Politicians across the country have condemned the police brutality against a black woman. The video from Illinois also highlights a pattern of police brutality against black people. The video captures a sheriff’s deputy fatally shooting a black woman who had called the police for help.
The footage from July 6 captures the moments when Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who has since been terminated and charged with murder, shot 36-year-old Sonya Massey inside her home. Sonya Massey ducked and apologized to Grayson only seconds before he shot her three times, with one fatal blow to the head in her home, as seen in body camera video. Massey had called the police early that morning after suspecting an intruder had entered her Springfield, Illinois, residence, according to her lawyers.
Grayson, who is white, and another unidentified deputy arrived at Massey’s home, and the video shows them searching both the front of the house and the backyard. They then knocked on her door and informed her that they hadn’t found anyone outside.
What happened
The deputies entered Massey’s home and asked her for identification while she was seated on a sofa, according to the footage. Massey then stood up to remove a pot of hot water from the stove. As she handled the pot, several feet away from the deputies, she said twice, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson responded by telling Massey that she “better not,” using expletives.
“I swear to God,” he warned her, threatening to shoot her in the face.
Moments later, Grayson drew his gun, commanded Massey to drop the pot, and fired shots at her, according to the video.
Three shots are heard. After a brief pause, one deputy announces “shots fired” and calls for emergency medical services.
Grayson was then heard reporting into a radio that there was a woman with a headshot wound. Massey was pronounced dead at a hospital later, according to the State Police.
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office stated on Monday that evidence indicated Grayson’s use of deadly force was not “justified.”
Last week, Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct, and he pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Following an internal investigation, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office announced last week that Mr. Grayson had been fired, as the inquiry revealed he had not acted according to training or departmental standards.
On Monday, Grayson remained in custody without bond. Meanwhile, his lawyer, Dan Fultz, declined to comment on the footage.
‘Shock the conscience of America’
Ben Crump, Massey’s family lawyer, questioned Grayson arguments in a news conference, calling it “disingenuous” and said the shooting would “shock the conscience of America”.
“She needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to her face,” Crump was quoted as saying.
At a news conference Tuesday in Springfield, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family, asserted that the Justice Department had opened an investigation into the incident, “which is welcome, because there have been some concerns and revelations by the family that we think need to be investigated.” He said he did not know the scope of the probe.
But in a statement, the Department of Justice said it “is aware of and assessing the circumstances surrounding the tragic officer-involved death” and said it “will continue to track the criminal case.”
James Wilburn, Massey’s father, called for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign.
“I want to tell y’all the sheriff here is an embarrassment,” Wilburn said. “This man (Grayson) should have never had a badge. And he should have never had a gun. He should have never been given the opportunity to kill my child.”
Pattern of Police Brutality: From George Floyd to Sonya Massey
The death of Sonya Massey reveals a troubling pattern of police violence against Black individuals in the United States, reflecting deeper systemic issues. This tragic case starkly contrasts with the West’s claimed commitment to human rights and the reality of its institutional practices. The narrative of the West as a protector of human rights is increasingly questioned when we examine the consistent and egregious violations committed against people of color, particularly Black Americans.
Massey’s death is part of a disturbing pattern of police violence. The killing of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked global outrage and renewed focus on systemic racism and police brutality in the US. Floyd’s death, filmed with an officer’s knee on his neck for almost nine minutes, led to the rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and widespread protests calling for justice and change. The BLM campaign has highlighted many instances of police violence and racial injustice, exposing the deep-seated biases and abuses within law enforcement.
The rise in police violence against Black people is a worrying trend that shows a serious problem within law enforcement. Even with many calls for change and accountability, police violence continues to increase, highlighting a deep-rooted issue. Each instance of police abuse against Black individuals is not just a failure of individual officers but also a broader institutional failure to address and correct systemic biases and abuses.
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Addressing these issues needs more than just surface-level changes. It requires a thorough review of police practices, stronger accountability, and a real commitment to human rights. The deaths of Sonya Massey and George Floyd highlight the need for significant change in how justice is served and how systemic racism is addressed. The West’s reputation as a champion of human rights is at risk, as ongoing violence against Black people in the US reveals between what is said and what is done.
President Biden on Sonya Massey’s Death
President Joe Biden has responded to the killing of Sonya Massey on Monday (July 22) and issued a statement. President Biden said, “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.”
It said, “Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss. Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones, and community during this devastating time.”
“I commend the swift actions that were 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,” added President Biden.
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