Police officer who shot Black woman Sonya Massey says he thought her words ‘in the name of Jesus’ meant she wanted to kill him (Video)
The deputy sheriff who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her Illinois home last month claimed that he interpreted Massey’s statement, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” as a threat to kill him. This account is detailed in the deputy’s field report released on August 5.
Deputy Sean Grayson wrote in his report that he believed Massey’s statement indicated an intent to harm him. He noted that when Massey, who had called 911 reporting a possible intruder, hid behind a counter, he feared she might be reaching for a weapon.
Massey was killed by Grayson after she had called 911 due to concerns about an intruder. Grayson and another deputy responded to the call about a suspected prowler shortly before 1 a.m. Inside her home, Grayson instructed that a pan of water be removed from the stove. He and Massey briefly joked about the hot water before the situation escalated.
Grayson reported that Massey, while holding the pot, declared she would “rebuke” him twice. Grayson claimed he feared she intended to attack him, which led him to draw his weapon and issue commands to “drop the (expletive) pot.”
Massey’s family has noted her struggles with mental health. At her front door, she repeatedly said, “Please God,” and asked Grayson for a Bible once inside. Following the religious declaration, Grayson drew his pistol and commanded her to drop the pot. Massey ducked behind a counter, reappeared holding the pan, and then sought cover.
Grayson, a 30-year-old Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct in the death of the 36-year-old Massey. The case has sparked nationwide protests over police violence against Black individuals in their homes.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty. Massey’s family has also called for the resignation of Sheriff Jack Campbell, who has refused to step down, arguing that issues in Grayson’s past should have disqualified him from the assignment.
In his report, Grayson described his fear of being hit with boiling liquid, stating that as he approached the counter, Massey stood up, raised the pot, and appeared to throw its contents at him. He fired three rounds from his 9 mm weapon, one of which struck Massey just below the eye. The report also mentions that the liquid had hit his boots and caused steam in the cabinet area.
By July 9, when Grayson completed his report, he had been placed on administrative leave. The report indicates he reviewed the body camera footage, which was primarily recorded by the other deputy’s camera. Grayson stated he believed his own camera was on when they first encountered Massey but did not activate it until shortly after the shooting.
Notice how Sonya insisted that the sherrif's department stay on the phone while the deputies were there? Also, she asked for her Bible from Sean. She sensed danger, and it's heartbreaking. #SonyaMassey #SeanGrayson pic.twitter.com/0Iv7OCd8eL
— Merry (@musiclife_80) August 4, 2024