Physique digicam footage launched this week provided a harrowing take a look at the police killing of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black lady in Springfield, Illinois, and renewed scrutiny of the disproportionate violence Black Individuals face by the hands of legislation enforcement.
On July 6, Massey was shot by a sheriff’s deputy in her own residence, after officers responded to her name a few potential prowler. Following checks of her yard and surrounding space, at the least two officers entered her residence as a part of their go to. Inside, one in all them asks her to show off her range. Whereas doing so, she picks up a pot of boiling water and the officers again away, noting that they wish to distance themselves from it. She makes a remark about rebuking them “within the identify of Jesus,” at which level one in all them, Sean Grayson, shoots at her thrice, together with as soon as fatally within the head.
A grand jury has since indicted Grayson on three counts of first-degree homicide, with some legislation enforcement specialists questioning why he’d shoot Massey moderately than pursue different various responses like including extra distance between them or utilizing a taser.
The capturing additionally provides to an extended historical past of police violence towards Black Individuals — and underscores how enduring the issue continues to be. In 2020, mass protests erupted throughout the US following the police homicide of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after an officer knelt on his neck for over 9 minutes. These adopted intensive demonstrations in 2014 after Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. Massey can also be amongst a lot of Black Individuals who’ve been shot by police in their very own properties, together with Roger Fortson in Fort Walton Seashore, Florida, and Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Price, Texas.
What we all know in regards to the incident
Police arrived at Massey’s residence after she referred to as 911 round 12:50 am on July 6, and proceeded to do a sweep round the home. They finally inform her that they didn’t discover anybody within the space and seem ready to go away, when video exhibits them coming into her residence. Whereas talking with Massey, additionally they ask her if she’s doing okay mentally and he or she responds by saying, “Sure, I took my medication.” Ben Crump, a civil rights legal professional for Massey’s household, has mentioned she handled psychological well being struggles.
It’s not instantly obvious why the officers then go into Massey’s home, however video exhibits her searching for her ID. Whereas they’re inside, the officers notice the range is on and urge Massey to show it off. As she goes to take action, she strikes the pot of boiling water that’s on it, prompting the officers to again away.
“The place are you going?” says Massey.
“Away out of your scorching, steaming water,” says Grayson.
“Away from my scorching, steaming water?,” Massey asks, whereas holding the pot. “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
“You higher f****** not or I swear to God I’ll f****** shoot you in your f****** face,” says Grayson as he attracts his gun.
Massey then says “I’m sorry,” and geese whereas elevating the pot over her head, as Grayson shoots a number of occasions and fatally wounds her.
As his colleague strikes to get a medical equipment from their automobile, Grayson feedback, “Nah, she’s executed. You’ll be able to go get it however that’s a headshot.” He additionally states later, “Yeah I’m good, this f******* b**** is loopy.”
Final week, a grand jury indicted Grayson on expenses of first-degree homicide, in addition to aggravated battery with a firearm and misconduct, all of which he pleaded not responsible to. He’s additionally been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Division, which famous that “it’s clear that the deputy didn’t act as educated or in accordance with our requirements.”
A state’s legal professional evaluation of the incident equally concluded that its evaluation “doesn’t assist a discovering that … Grayson was justified in his use of lethal pressure.” State prosecutors additionally cited an skilled who described the act as akin to “an officer deliberately and unnecessarily placing himself in entrance of a transferring automobile after which justifying use of pressure due to worry of being struck.”
Her household has mentioned that Massey — a mom of two — was a “ball of power,” and a “loving individual” who was recognized for serving to these round her. In addition they famous that they weren’t initially informed that the capturing had been dedicated by an officer and that there have been early implications it was executed by another person.
Massey’s household are actually calling for an investigation into the Sheriff’s Division’s hiring of Grayson, who has labored in six totally different legislation enforcement companies within the final 4 years, and been charged twice with driving beneath the affect. In line with an Intercept report, Grayson had additionally been discharged from the army as a result of misconduct.
Within the wake of the indictment, prosecutors will proceed to pursue the fees towards Grayson in a case that might head to trial. He has been denied pretrial launch.
It’s the newest incident to boost issues about police violence
Massey’s capturing highlights how pervasive police violence towards Black Individuals nonetheless is, and the dearth of efficient insurance policies which have been handed to fight it.
In 2023, police killed greater than 1,300 folks, which was a brand new file, in response to the group Mapping Police Violence. That very same knowledge set discovered that Black folks have been nearly thrice extra more likely to be killed by police than white folks.
Makes an attempt to advance police reforms have diverse on the metropolis, state, and federal ranges, with locations like San Francisco investing in disaster response groups that serve as a substitute, and states like Minnesota approving new use of pressure requirements.
However any federal compromise on police reform — together with makes an attempt after Floyd’s capturing in 2020 to finish officers’ protections from authorized legal responsibility — has up to now faltered.