SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — Officials in Illinois’ capital plan to release a video Monday of police enter woman’s home who called 911 for help and the violent scene that followed when a deputy shot her in the face.
The Illinois State Police announced that Sangamon County District Attorney John Milhiser will release body camera footage of the July 6 incident that left 36-year-old Sonya Massey dead, leading to first-degree murder charges against former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.
Ben Crump, the noted civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family, told the crowd at her funeral in Springfield on Friday that the video would reveal a crime as shocking as Massey’s 1955 lynching. Chicago teen Emmitt Till in Mississippi, the Chicago police shooting Laquan McDonald and the Minneapolis Police Murder of George Floyd.
“It will shock the conscience of America. It’s so senseless, so unnecessary, so unjust, so unconstitutional,” Crump said. “This deputy was twice Sonya’s size. Why would you have to use a gun to shoot her in the head?”
Crump, who is planning a news conference with family members after the video’s release, is at his second residence in Springfield, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. He has also represented family members of Earl Moore, a Springfield man who died after being strapped face down to a stretcher in December 2022. Two aid workers are accused of murder in that case.
Authorities say Massey, who is black, called 911 in the early morning hours to report a suspected intruder. Grayson entered the home with another officer, saw a pot on the stove and gave Massey permission to move it. When she placed it on the counter, Grayson allegedly pulled out his 9mm pistol and threatened to shoot her. She apologized and took cover, but Grayson approached and shot her, prosecutors said.
Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct. A phone message was left for Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz.
Massey’s death sparked protests demanding justice in the case. Massey’s father, James Wilburn, echoed that call at her funeral, saying he was encouraged by the speed with which the Illinois State Police, who investigated the incident, and Milhiser acted.
“In 10 days, they convened a grand jury. They completed their investigation. They arrested him, they got him fired,” Wilburn said. “That’s unheard of.”