WATCH Fatal Police Shooting of Sonya Massey by Sean Grayson; Bodycam Footage Video Released

Illinois police have released shocking bodycam footage that captured the final chaotic moments before the fatal shooting of a woman by responding police officers.

The woman had called 911 after she suspected an intruder had broken into her home.

The killing of Sonya Massey, 36, on Independence Day weekend led to the filing of criminal charges against the police officer who opened fire.

The incident has led to a heated debate about how police officers respond in such situations, particularly if the person is black.

The incident has drawn condemnation from the White House.

Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson has been dismissed from the police force, and charges of murder and official misconduct have been instituted against him.

Grayson has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been detained without bond.

Bodycam footage video shows the moment Sean Grayson shot Sonya Massey

The bodycam video, released by the Illinois State Police, shows the officers shouting at Ms. Massey to put down a pot of boiling water with their pistols drawn.

The incident happened on July 6 when Sonya Massey, a resident of Springfield, 200 miles (320 km) south of Chicago, called the police suspecting that someone had broken into her property.

Two police officers responded to the 911 call. The officers followed Ms. Massey inside her house and waited while she searched for her identification.

In the bodycam video, Sean Grayson sees a pot on a lit stove and asks Sonya Massey to remove it from the fire, saying that he does not want to have a fire while they are there.

Sonya Massey then walks to the fire to remove the cooking vessel. The video reveals she and Sonya Grayson appear to laugh over her pot of “steaming hot water.” Later, Sonya Massey can be heard saying twice,

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

To which an angry Mr. Grayson responds,

“You better [expletive] not, or I swear to God I’ll [expletive] shoot you in your [expletive] face,”

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.

The police officer then shoots Ms. Massey three times, and one of the bullets pierces her cheeks and exits from her neck.

The bodycam video also reveals the police officer telling his partner that the victim will not need medical aid since it was a headshot.

The other deputy then tells Grayson that at least they can try to stem Ms. Massey’s bleeding. Mr. Grayson then leaves to get his own medical kit.

The incident drew all-around condemnation of the police officer’s actions, and in a statement, President Joe Biden said that he is heartbroken for Massey’s family. Biden also said that the incident highlighted how often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest do not.

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