Released footage shows the shooting of Sonya Massey in her home

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Sangamon County State's Attorney released body camera footage Monday showing the events leading up to the shooting of Springfield woman Sonya Massey shortly after a 911 call.

The release of the video had been postponed at the request of Massey's family, but was finally released this afternoon.

The footage can be seen below. Some images have been blurred by police.

Massey was shot and killed by Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson on July 6 after she called 911 herself to report a possible prowler at her home just before 1 a.m.

At 1:21 a.m., deputies reported shots had been fired.

Two deputies were at Massey's home responding to the 911 call. One deputy turned on his body-worn camera when they first arrived on scene, but Grayson only activated his camera after shooting Massey.

Prosecutors alleged that Grayson ordered Massey to move a pot of water heating on the stove to the counter. Grayson then “aggressively yelled” at Massey over the pot and pulled his 9 mm pistol. Massey then put her hands in the air, declared “I'm sorry” and ducked for cover before being shot in the face. Grayson also discouraged the other deputy from getting his medical kit, prosecutors said.

“The other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical help arrived,” First Assistant State's Attorney Mary Rodgers wrote. Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms. Massey.”

Grayson was later charged with first-degree murder and fired. 

The family of Sonya Massey was joined by attorney Ben Crump, State Sen. Doris Turner, and members of the NAACP at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Turner recounted her personal connection to the Massey family. "At one time, there were five houses of Masseys on my block," said Turner.

"The only time I'm going to see my baby again is when I leave this world,' said Massey's father, James Wilburn.

Wilburn also had strong word for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell. "The people of Sangamon County have been great, but I want to tell y'all the Sheriff here is an embarrassment. This man should have never had a badge, he should have never had a gun, he should have never been given the opportunity to kill my child."

Wilburn also called for Sheriff Campbell to resign.

Attorney Ben Crump says charges are not enough. "We're asking for full transparency on every level. How he was hired, the 9-1-1 calls, the communications, all of the video, everything. We won't stop. We're not satisfied with charges. We won't be satisfied until we get whole justice for Sonya Massey."

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