‘Heartbroken’ Biden gives first statement since announcing White House exit to condemn police shooting of Sonya Massey
PRESIDENT Joe Biden has spoken out about his heartbreak over the fatal shooting of a Black woman by a white police officer.
In his first statement since announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 election, Biden has condemned the “unthinkable” death of Sonya Massey.
The single mother from Illinois was killed in the early hours of July 6 by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson after cops attended her home after she reported a suspected “prowler” on her property.
Massey was shot three times by Grayson with a fatal gunshot wound to her head.
The former deputy has been fired by the police department after joining them last year and being in law enforcement since 2020.
The 30-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody without bond after a judge ruled that he poses a risk to the community.
‘HEARTBROKEN’
The President has said that he is “heartbroken” after learning of the “unthinkable and senseless loss.”
“Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today,” he wrote.
“Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder.
“When we call for help, all of us as Americans – regardless of who we are or where we live – should be able to do so without fearing for our lives.
“Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.”
Biden added that Sonya’s family “deserves justice” as he and the First Lady join the nation in mourning her loss.
“I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss,” he said while praising the efforts of the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office.
Citing other high-profile fatal officer-involved shootings of Black people, the President urged Congress to immediately pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
The police reform bill drafted in 2021 aims to hold police accountable and to build relations between law enforcement and local communities by addressing systemic racism.
“Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake,” Biden concluded.
‘DISTURBING’ FOOTAGE
On Monday, the Illinois State Police shared the bodycam footage of the moments leading up to the fatal shooting on YouTube.
President Biden's full statement about the killing of Sonya Massey
On Monday, the President issued the following statement:
Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today.
Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder.
When we call for help, all of us as Americans – regardless of who we are or where we live – should be able to do so without fearing for our lives.
Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.
Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss.
Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones, and community during this devastating time.
I commend the swift actions that were taken by the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office.
While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving.
Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake.
In the clip, Massey opens the door to speak to the two police officers and immediately says “Don’t hurt me.”
While the situation started amiably, things took a turn when the cops entered her home.
In the footage, Grayson notices a pan of water boiling on the stove and he tells Massey to turn it off to ensure their safety while dealing with identification and addressing her concerns.
However, when she got hold of the pan and started saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Grayson grabbed his firearm and started shouting at her to drop the pot after threatening to shoot her in the face.
“I swear to God I’ll f***** shoot you in your f****** face,” Grayson said before raising his 9mm pistol at her, followed quickly by his partner.
The scared mother apologized, put her hands up, and ducked down behind a counter before Grayson fired three shots at her.
“That’s a headshot she’s done,” he later told his partner who had started moving back to the car to get his medical kit to help Massey before being discouraged by Grayson.
She needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to her face.
Benjamin Crump
After realizing that she was still breathing, the officers got their kits and Grayson’s partner helped stem the bleeding until emergency responders arrived on the scene.
Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms Massey,” First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Rodgers stated.
Massey was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The disgraced officer had allegedly refused to put his body camera on until after the shooting, with all available footage coming from his partner’s camera, according to The Daily Mail.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has called the footage “horrific” as he offered his sympathies to her family who have had to “relive a moment no family should experience.”
“She had boiling water and came at me, with boiling water,” Grayson told officers after the shooting.
“She said she was going to rebuke me in the name of Jesus and came at me with boiling water.”
Grayson’s justification for the shooting of Massey has been blasted as “revisionist” and “disingenuous” by civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
“It is a very disturbing video,” the attorney said.
“It will shock America’s conscience. It is that senseless, that unnecessary, that unjustifiable, that unconstitutional.
“She needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to her face.”
Grayson will next appear in court on August 26 and faces a life sentence in prison, if convicted.
His attorney declined to comment after the release of the footage.