CHICAGO — Protestors gathered outside Chicago police headquarters on Saturday to call for justice and police reforms following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Springfield woman who was killed by a deputy who responded to her 911 call in early July.
Rally organizers stood in solidarity with the Massey family and let them know they were not alone as they marched alongside police headquarters, calling for justice and change.
“Atatiana Jefferson, say her name. Breonna Taylor, say her name. Sonya Massey they all should be alive today,” Rally organizer Carolyn Ruff said.
About two weeks ago, authorities released body camera video that captured the fatal shooting of the 36-year-old mother of two, who was killed when 30-year-old Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson, who had a history of misconduct, opened fire while responding to a 911 call at Massey’s home.
Massey, who had faced mental health struggles and sought treatment, called police in the early morning hours on July 6, to report a suspected prowler around her home in an unincorporated neighborhood of Springfield.
Authorities responded and searched the perimeter of the home before entering the house.
After entering the home, Grayson asked Massey to present her ID for their police report, but as she searched her purse, the deputy pointed to a boiling pot of water sitting on the stovetop.
After moving the pot of water, Grayson can be seen taking a step back, and that is when Massey asked the deputy where he was going and he said “Away from your hot, steaming water.” Massey then said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Following the statement, Grayson pulled out his gun and began yelling at Massey to put down the pot. Massey can be seen ducking before Grayson opens fire.
An autopsy report later confirmed that Massey died from a gunshot wound to her head.
Grayson was later charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
If convicted, Grayson could face up to 45 years to life for murder, 6 to 30 years for battery and 2 to 5 years for misconduct.
“Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us all too often Black Americans face fear for their safety in ways most of us do it,” Ruff said.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department has spoken out against the shooting, saying that it does not reflect the values of their training.
On Saturday, rallygoers called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. A bill that would increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct.
“The Sonya Massey situation was absolutely horrendous,” Selwyn Jones, the uncle of George Floyd, said.
Jones attended Saturday’s protest to show his support.
“For somebody that was obviously having a mental health crisis and for them to take advantage of her and murder her in her own home, it just has to stop,” Jopmes said.
Several speakers took to the podium to stand in solidarity with the Massey family. They read the names of people who have been fatally shot by law enforcement in Illinois and released balloons into the air.
In the meantime, more than 14,000 donations have been to a go-fund-me for Massey’s children.