Sonya Massey
Source: Africa Publicity
A white US Policeman has allegedly shot and killed a 36-year-old black woman, Sonya Massey, for reportedly saying “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus”.
Police in Illinois have since released bodycam footage showing the chaotic moments that led to the fatal shooting of Massey who had called 911 to report a suspected intruder at her home.
The murder of Massey over Independence Day weekend has resulted in criminal charges against the officer who opened fire, and drawn condemnation from the White House.
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired from the police force and charged with murder and official misconduct over his alleged killing of Massey.
However, he has pleaded not guilty to the charges and as of Monday, July 22, 2024, he was being held without bond.
On Monday, Illinois State Police released bodycam footage that shows the officers shouting at Ms Massey to put down a pot of boiling water as they point their pistols at her.
The incident in the early hours of July 6, this year, started when Massey called police to her home in Springfield, 200 miles (320km) south of Chicago, to report that she believed someone had broken into her property.
Officers followed her inside when Ms Massey entered her home, and watched as she searched for her identification.
In the video, Mr Grayson sees a pot sitting on a lit stove, gestures towards it and says: “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.”
Ms Massey walks to the stove to remove the cooking utensil. She and Mr Grayson appear to laugh over her pot of “steaming hot water”, before she twice says: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
“You better [expletive] not or I swear to God I’ll [expletive] shoot you in your [expletive] face,” Mr Grayson says. He then draws his pistol as he shouts for her to drop the pot.
“OK, I’m sorry,” Ms Massey is heard saying before she ducks.
After shooting her, the officer says: “What else do we do? I’m not taking hot [expletive] boiling water to the [expletive] face.”
The video also records Mr Grayson telling his police partner that she would not need medical help.
As the other deputy tries to get a medical kit, the officer says: “She’s done. You can go get it, but that’s a head shot.”
Mr Grayson then leaves to get his own medical kit, after the other officer says that they can at least try to stop Ms Massey’s bleeding.
On Monday, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office said Mr Grayson was not justified in his use of force.
The murder has drawn widespread condemnation including from President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
“So the police shot and killed black lady holding a pot because she said I rebuke you in Jesus name..and we out here playing for USA,” Nick Young complained.
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