Sonya Massey, another black victim of a reckless shooting in America. Sonya Massey was a beloved member of the community. She was shot by a sheriff Deputy, three times in her face. This tragic incident has caught national attention. It has once again raised the concern about the security and safety of the black community in America.

The Shooting Incident Of Sonya Massey

The tragic death incident happened on July 6, 2024, and has caught a lot of attention as the body cam video of the incident was revealed on Monday, July 22, 2024. The incident was initiated when Sonya Massey called 911. She sensed an intruder near her house. She called for help from the police. 

However, a call for help was soon turned into her getting murdered by the officer. She was a 32-year-old woman with a family and kids. The police officers arrived at her house and searched her yard. They interacted with her at the gate as they were unable to spot anyone.

Sonya Massey pleaded, “Please God, please God, I’m trying to get help, you’ll.” they asked her what she needed help with multiple times. She replied that she heard somebody strange outside the house. Soon after, two officers were in her house and one of them went to search other rooms. They were not able to find anyone else. 

The deputies then ask for her ID so they “can then get out of her hair.” after receiving permission from the officer, Grayson; went to take a pot of boiling water off the stove and asked the deputies, “Where are you going?” as they back away.

“…Away from your hot steaming water,” one officer said. Massey was then heard saying, “I’ll rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson then pulled his 9mm pistol and threatened to shoot Massey, according to the footage. Massey apologized as she ducked behind her kitchen counter before Grayson fired shots.

Aftermath Of Her Murder

The woman was shot brutally, Grayson was the one who shot her. The white policeman didn’t turn on his camera during the incident. The footage released was from his partner’s body cam. In the footage, Grayson was seen advising his partner to not give medical aid to Sonya as she was injured severely.

“Not with a headshot…” he says on the body camera video. “She’s done. You can go get [a medical kit], but that’s a headshot.”

Grayson, speaking to his partner, says he wasn’t going to “take hot, boiling water to the f***ing face.”

The other deputy provided emergency assistance and stayed with Massey until medical personnel arrived.

“She’s still gasping a little bit,” he can be heard saying as he holds a rag to her head while Grayson appears to say in the background he’s “not going to waste” his medical kit.

When Grayson makes his way back into the home, he asks another deputy who has since entered, “Is there anything we can do for her?” The deputy responds, “No.”

“All right, I’m not even going to waste my med stuff then,” Grayson says.

The deputy asks Grayson, “Where’s the gun?”

“No, she had boiling water and came at me with boiling water,” Grayson says.

When Grayson leaves the house, a member of law enforcement standing outside asks him if he’s OK.

“Yeah, I’m good. This f*****g b***his crazy,” he responds and walks to his vehicle shortly afterward.

Legal Proceedings 

Grayson was fired and he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. If all the allegations are proven right and he is proven guilty, he faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, six to 30 years for battery, and two to five years for misconduct. His lawyer, Daniel Fultz, declined comment on Monday. His next court date is August 26.

During the funeral, her father stated, “In 10 days, they convened a grand jury. They completed their investigation. They arrested, they got him fired,” Wilburn said. “That’s unheard of.”

Public Reactions To Sonya Massey

The black community is once again disappointed but not surprised. Activists have used Massey’s case to highlight what they see as systemic issues within law enforcement, particularly concerning the treatment of marginalized communities.

Biden said in his statement on Monday, “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,”.

He added  “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.” 

In a news conference on Monday, Ben Crump, the attorney representing Massey’s family, expressed whether race played a role in the deadly shooting.

“That is the lingering question in our community because many of us looked at that video and said, ‘If it was a white woman, he would not have done this,'” Crump said.