Bodycam Video Released After Deputy Shot Black Woman Who Called 911 For Help

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Body camera video released Monday by a prosecutor reveals a chaotic scene in which Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 for help is shot in the face in her home by a white sheriff’s deputy.

The video from body cameras shows a tense moment in which former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson yelled at 36-year-old Sonya Massey to set down a pot from the stove just seconds after she started pouring the water into the sink and the two giggled over her “hot steaming water.” He then threatens to shoot her, Massey ducks then briefly rises and Grayson fires his pistol at her three times.

The released video from July 6 contains material from the body cameras of the two deputies’ who responded to the emergency call.

Authorities said Massey called 911 in the early morning hours to report a suspected prowler. Grayson entered the house with another deputy.

In the video, Grayson and another deputy check around Massey’s house for an intruder and then knock on her door. Lights are off in the house and Massey takes a long time to answer. She appears confused and when deputies go inside Massey has difficulty giving her name for a report as deputies prepare to leave.

Grayson tells her to give him her ID. Then he points to the kitchen for the other deputy to check on the stove. “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.”

Massey goes to the kitchen and after she and Grayson share a laugh, she says, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” and asks him a question.

“You better (expletive) not or I swear to God I’ll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face.” He then pulls his 9mm pistol and says “Drop the (expletive) pot.”

Massey says, “OK, I’m sorry.” In Grayson’s bodycam footage, he pulls the gun and