Illinois police video shows ‘shocking’ shooting of black woman

STORY: Illinois State Police on Monday released body camera video of a sheriff’s deputy fatally shooting a black woman in her home earlier this month.

Details of a shooting have emerged that has sparked renewed outrage over police use of excessive force against African-Americans.

White Deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, among other charges, in the July 6 shooting.

According to his indictment, Grayson and a second officer were called to Massey’s home in Springfield, about 200 miles from Chicago, to investigate a report of a suspected “prowler” just before 1 a.m.

Police body camera video shows officers telling Massey they checked the area and found nothing suspicious.

In their conversation, Massey seems confused, and at one point, Grayson asks how he is.

“Are you okay, mentally?”

“Yeah, I took my meds and everything.”

“GOOD.”

Officers are then seen entering the 36-year-old woman’s home and speaking to her, when they ask her to remove a pan of boiling water from her stove.

“We don’t need fire while we’re here.”

The second assistant comes out of the kitchen, the exchange still seeming good-natured as he says he doesn’t want to be near his “boiling water.”

But from there, things quickly degenerate.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from your boiling water.”

“Away from my boiling water?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, I will rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

“Eh?”

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

“You better not do it, I swear to God I’m going to shoot you in the mouth.”

“OK I am sorry.”

“Drop that shit. Drop that shit.”

The video does not show Massey making any apparent verbal threats or making any movement toward the officers before Grayson pulled out his gun and shot him.

Court records indicate that Grayson’s unnamed partner administered first aid to Massey and stayed with her until medics arrived.

She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Massey’s family, said at a news conference that every part of the video was “shocking.”

And that the officer was not justified in using deadly force.

In a statement Monday, President Joe Biden said:

“Sonya’s death at the hands of a police officer reminds us that too often, Black Americans face fears for their safety that are greater than those of many of us.”

Biden also urged lawmakers to pass a stalled police reform bill named after George Floyd, who was choked to death by a white police officer in 2020.

Grayson has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His lawyer did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said last week it fired Grayson after its investigation found he failed to follow proper training and standards.