Deputy Says 'I'll Shoot You in the Face' Before Killing Sonya Massey

Source: D-Keine / Getty

llinois State Police released bodycam footage Monday of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, which reveals a tense and chaotic scene leading up to her death. The video shows Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shooting Massey in the face during an encounter over a pot of water in her home.

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Grayson, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct, is currently held at Sangamon County Jail pending trial.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump described the video as “shockingly senseless” and questioned the need for such a violent response. “This sheriff’s deputy was twice as large as Sonya. Why would you have to use a gun to shoot her in the head?” Crump asked.

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On the early morning of July 6, Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two, called 911 to report a suspected prowler outside her Springfield, Illinois home. The bodycam footage shows deputies initially investigating a car with broken windows before interacting with Massey at her door. She can be heard mumbling to Grayson, who responds, “Why would we hurt you? You called us.”

The deputies then check the car and enter Massey’s home. Inside, Massey is seen sitting on her couch and preparing to provide the deputies with some paperwork. Grayson notices a pot on the stove and tells Massey to check it to prevent a fire.

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As Massey turns off the stove and picks up the pot, she says, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson responds with, “You’d better f***ing not. I swear to God, I’ll fing shoot you right in your f***ing face.” He then raises his gun and orders her to “drop the fing pot!”

The footage captures Massey apologizing and ducking for cover as Grayson fires three shots. Grayson did not activate his body camera until after the shooting, which has been criticized by authorities.

After the shooting, Grayson allegedly advised his partner not to give medical aid, stating, “She’s done. You can go get it, but that’s a headshot.” He is also heard saying, “What else can we do? I’m not taking a pot of boiling water to the f***ing face, and it already reached us.”

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The other deputy on the scene tended to Massey until medical professionals arrived.

Attorney Craig Futterman, founder of the Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project at the University of Chicago, criticized Grayson’s actions, stating the situation did not warrant such a response. “There must be a reasonable threat,” Futterman said. “I did not see evidence of any reasonable threat.”

Family members, including Massey’s father, James Wilburn, expressed their grief and outrage. Wilburn, a former law enforcement officer, said, “I kind of feel watching, it’s a dream; I’m going to wake up. But I just don’t know. I don’t know what to say.” He also criticized the officer’s actions, suggesting racial bias may have influenced Grayson’s response.

Wilburn reflected on his daughter’s mental health issues and the final words they shared, lamenting, “To know and realize I won’t see her again, I can’t talk to her again, I can’t touch her again.”

The video and subsequent reactions continue to stir debate over police conduct and accountability.

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