Body camera video of Sonya Massey’s shooting released

Posted on July 22, 2024
Former Sangamon County Sheriff Deputy Sean Grayson. (Photo courtesy: Sangamon County Jail)

By WMBD

SPRINGFIELD – State Police have released the body camera footage from both of the deputies that responded to Sonya Massey’s residence when she was shot and killed on July 6. The full video can be found here on YouTube.

The body camera video is graphic and viewer discretion is advised. Massey’s body after being shot has been censored at the request of her family.

The body camera footage from the shooting of Sonya Massey, where the Springfield woman was shot and killed by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy earlier this month, is set to be released Monday afternoon.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser announced the date the body camera footage will be released when he charged Sean Grayson with three counts of first degree murder Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Sangamon County Sheriff also announced he had fired Grayson from the force after being charged.

The body camera footage was originally scheduled to be released at 10 a.m. Officials announced over the weekend that the release of the footage will be delayed to 2 p.m. at the request of the family.

Massey called 911 on the night of July 6 for reports of a “prowler.” Prosecutors said in court that while Grayson and another deputy were responding to the call at Massey’s residence, Grayson asked Massey to move a pot of hot water on her stove to prevent an accidental fire. When she did, Grayson drew his weapon on her, threatening to shoot her unless she put the pot down.Community rallies for Sonya Massey; family meets with Sangamon Co. authorities

According to court documents, Grayson only turned on his body camera after he shot Massey. The other deputy present had their body camera footage activated the entire time.

Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump is expected to speak to the media in Springfield after the body camera footage is released. Ben Crump is also representing the family of Earl Moore Jr., a Springfield man killed in 2022. Two EMS workers were charged with murder in the case.

The Springfield community is also gathering for a rally led by the group Intricate Minds. The group is meeting outside of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at 3 p.m. before a march to Comer Cox Park.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…