Sonya Massey: Bodycam shows Illinois deputy shooting Black woman in her home

globalnews.ca:

A 36-year-old Black woman who called 911 to report someone prowling near her home was shot and killed by one of the police officers sent to help her, according to shocking body-camera footage that was released by Illinois State Police on Monday.

Police officials, politicians and civil rights figures have condemned the officer’s actions as an unnecessary use of deadly force as outrage grows over the police shooting. Massey’s death is just the latest example of Black people being killed by American police in their homes in recent years, including Breonna Taylor, whose death helped spur massive racial injustice protests in the summer of 2020.

Sean Grayson, 30, the sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed Massey, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He was indicted by an Illinois grand jury last week and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was also fired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting occurred on July 6 and quickly sparked local protests in Sangamon County, where organizers demanded the release of bodycam footage and transparency in the case. Weeks later, and following the arrest and indictment of Grayson, the Illinois State Police have now released the disturbing footage showing the moments leading up to and the immediate aftermath of Massey’s death.

Just before she was shot, the 36-year-old went to move a pot of boiling water off the stove after Grayson flagged it as a fire risk. She then said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” which angered Grayson, who drew his weapon and threatened to shoot her.

Massey immediately apologized and Grayson yelled at her to drop the pot of water. Massey ducked for cover behind her kitchen counter and