Because the U.S. Division of Justice initiates a evaluation of the deadly capturing of Sonya Massey, quite a few artists have amplified the title and reminiscence of the 36-year-old mom of two whereas decrying the newest police-involved killing of a Black individual by a white officer.
“The Division of Justice is conscious of and assessing the circumstances surrounding the tragic officer-involved dying of Ms. Sonya Massey and extends condolences to her household and family members,” the federal company wrote in a press release, in line with ABC Information.
“First phrases Sonya Massey mentioned at her entrance door had been ‘don’t harm me’ she was advised ‘why would we harm you, you known as us,’” Solange posted to X on Tuesday. “When have these phrases meant something when [you’re] black and lady on this nation when do these phrases defend you from not being murdered in your kitchen, in your bed room, together with your infants, or in your garden what’s ‘reassurance,’ on this place ? relaxation in energy Sonya Massey, and an abundance of affection and energy to Sonya’s household on this journey.”
In response to reviews, Massey known as 911 within the early hours of July 6 to report seeing an intruder exterior her house in Springfield, Illinois, and a half-hour later, the responding officers reported pictures fired and that Massey had been struck by bullets. In response to ABC 7, former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, 30, was indicted on first-degree homicide prices final week and is at the moment being jailed with out bond till trial.
Per video of the incident, after checking for intruders, police went inside and Massey requested if she might stroll within the different room to show down a boiling pot on the range. An unidentified officer who responded to the decision with Grayson then moved apart and Massey is heard saying, “I rebuke you within the title of Jesus.” Grayson, standing in the lounge, then threatened to shoot Massey within the face, drawing his weapon.
Massey, in her sleeping garments, dropped to the bottom under the kitchen counter between them and put her arms up whereas apologizing. As she stood up with what gave the impression to be the the other way up pot in her hand, Grayson fired three pictures, together with the deadly one to Massey’s head, instantly saying, “F—!,” as he realized he’d fired a deadly shot and telling his accomplice to not trouble getting a medical package due to the “head shot” he’d unleashed.
After bouncing round between a handful of small police departments, Grayson was employed by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Workplace in Could 2023 and has since been fired within the wake of Massey’s deadly capturing and has not but entered a plea to a few prices of first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.
Meek Mill — who has had his personal yearslong battle in Pennsylvania over a jail sentence tied to parole violations tied to a decade-old drug and gun conviction — reposted a video of Massey’s devastated son describing a name from the hospital informing him that his mom was shot within the eye whereas refusing to inform him who had shot her. “Are you able to think about the cops killing your mother on digital camera like that … she didn’t also have a pot in her hand she put it down … and we have to erase police reviews people lie!!!” Mill wrote Wednesday on X, including in one other submit, “She didn’t even have the pot in her hand in the event you sluggish it down!”
In an X Areas submit Wednesday night time, Cardi B mentioned Massey, saying, “There was no argument, there was no battle, there was no increase the voice. And she or he acquired shot. He [Grayson] didn’t say nothing racial, proper? He didn’t say nothing like a racial slur, however one factor for positive is that we positively know that he knew behind his head as a result of she was a Black lady that he was going to get away with it… she acquired shot for no motive.” (The Massey dialogue begins on the 14:29 mark.)
Canadian R&B duo Dvsn had been equally horrified by the footage, writing Tuesday on X, “That Sonya Massey video actually harm to observe… that man claiming she ‘CAME at him with boiling water’ simply made me suppose what if there was no physique cam?… and what number of instances they’ve gotten away with these tales relating to us… smh. Hurts man.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s working to be the Democratic nominee for president, additionally reacted to the startling footage. “Sonya Massey deserved to be secure,” she wrote Tuesday on X. “The disturbing footage launched yesterday confirms what we all know from the lived experiences of so many — we’ve got a lot work to do to make sure that our justice system totally lives as much as its title. President Biden and I name on Congress to go the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a invoice that I coauthored within the Senate. We should come collectively to attain significant reforms that advance the security of all communities.”
In a separate submit, Biden added, “Sonya Massey, a beloved mom, pal, daughter, and younger Black lady, ought to be alive in the present day. Sonya’s dying by the hands of a police officer reminds us that each one too typically Black Individuals face fears for his or her security in methods lots of the remainder of us don’t.”
Rapper Yung Miami additionally weighed in, writing, “Let her f—ing simply what?????? Die that is past sickening!!!! Pure evil!!!”
See a number of the tweets about Massey’s killing under. (Warning: A number of the posts under embody footage from Massey’s deadly capturing.)