Peace march memorializes Sonya Massey as bodycam footage released

Compiled bodycam video recorded from the shooting of Springfield resident Sonya Massey was released on Monday as members of the community gathered to participate in a peace march in her name. Barbeque was later prepared for demonstrators, who first marched under the escort of the Springfield Police Department from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church to Comer Cox Park. Numerous commuters stopped and honked horns and raised their fists in solidarity with the passing marchers, who participated in activities at the park to memorialize the late Sonya until 8:00 PM. 

In attendance were multiple alderpeople and other prominent members of the Springfield community, as well as Sonya’s family.

After the release of the video at the direction of the Sangamon County State Attorney’s office, protestors at Comer Cox Park called for community members seeking to share the video to be respectful and forewarn potential viewers of its graphic contents. That video, again sensitive in nature, containing profanity and violence despite being partially censored to preserve Sonya Massey’s dignity, can be viewed either on the Illinois State Police’s account on Rumble – a Youtube alternative regularly described as ‘Right-Wing’ – or can be downloaded directly from Google Drive.

The following is a description of the events of the incident as seen through the released video:

• The first 28 minutes of the 36:00 minute video are from the perspective of the second, yet-unnamed deputy who accompanied Grayson on the call (Grayson’s bodycam footage comprises the last 8 minutes, as his camera was not activated until his confrontation with Massey began). Beginning with a timestamp of 1:08 AM, the first ten minutes show the deputy investigating around the perimeter of Sonya Massey’s home. After finding no intruder but seeing signs of damage to a vehicle parked in the driveway, the second deputy knocks on the door hoping to summon the caller. When there is no response after repeated knocking, Grayson approaches the door and begins banging his fist against it. Massey emerges from the house at 1:16 AM after receiving multiple calls back from 911. Shortly after, at 1:18 AM the deputies enter her home to take her name and ask further questions about the call and the damaged vehicle.
• The bodycam footage shows that at 1:20 AM, Grayson directs Massey to turn off a lit stove upon which a pot of boiling water sits. She complies, crossing into her kitchen, turning off the stove and then moving the pot near her sink. The second deputy, who was standing by the kitchen counter, steps back; when Massey asks where he’s going, and with a tense laugh Grayson replies the second deputy is moving, “Away from your hot steaming water.” Sonya, calm in tone but possibly distracted at her kitchen sink, seemingly jokingly says, “Oh, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
• From the living room, Grayson calls for her to repeat herself. Massey repeats her joke and Grayson, hand now on his sidearm, yells at her, “You’d better f***ing not, I swear to god I’ll f***ing shoot you right in your f***ing face.” Before Massey can say anything further, Grayson draws his gun and points it at her. Grayson screams at her to “Drop the f***ing pot,” which is already resting on the kitchen counter by the sink; Massey complies, crying “I’m sorry,” fully taking her hands off of the pot of water and ducking to the floor. The second deputy follows suit in drawing his gun and shouting at her to drop the pot despite her having already taken her hands from it. Grayson begins to cross the room into the kitchen area, gun aimed in Massey’s direction, and once again shouts at her to drop the pot, then immediately fires three rounds at Massey.
• The second deputy immediately reports over radio that shots have been fired as Grayson enters the kitchen, once again screaming at Massey, who is now fully unresponsive and immobile on the floor, to drop the pot. Shortly after, the deputies report the status of Massey, and begin swearing repeatedly. The second deputy suggests grabbing his first aid kit from the car, but Grayson insists there is no point as Massey has been shot in the head. After hesitating until 1:22 AM, the second deputy tells Grayson to retrieve his medkit from the car, and then proceeds to attempt to slow the bleeding from Massey’s gunshot wound using a rag in the house while Grayson exits. Backup arrives on scene shortly after.

Following the release of the bodycam footage, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell’s office declared to the press, “Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson.”

The Sheriff’s Office continued,

Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or training of our office. He will now face judgment by the criminal justice system and will never again work in law enforcement. Ms. Massey needlessly lost her life, and her family deserves answers. I trust the legal process will provide them.

“This incident does not reflect the values or actions of our law enforcement community. It was a tragic decision made by an individual who had the training, tools, and experience to know better. We are committed to upholding a standard that prevents such tragedies from occurring in the future.

Despite the statements from the sheriff’s office, community outrage remains focused at the county. A petition circulated among participants in Monday’s peace march, calling for an investigation into the hiring practices of the Sheriff’s Office and for the dismissal of Sheriff Jack Campbell, a Republican who was elected County Sheriff in 2018, replacing Wes Barr and beating Democrat contender Odie Carpenter Jr.

Additionally, the Office of US President Joe Biden issued the following statement today after the video was released:

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.

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.

Later Monday afternoon, July 22, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon also released the results of his office’s autopsy of Sonya Massey, concluding she had died of a gunshot wound to the head. The coroner attributes her death to Homicide.

Sean Grayson remains in custody without bail after being indicted in Sonya Massey’s death. He has offered a not-guilty plea.