The 36-year-old Black woman had phoned police for help before former officer Sean Grayson shot her in the face.
Cardi B. and Solange are among many artists who have spoken out following the release of bodycam footage showing the police shooting of Sonya Massey earlier this month in Illinois.
Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother of two from Springfield, Illinois, was shot and killed on July 6 by a white, 30-year-old, now-former Sangamon County Deputy, Sean Grayson, after she called authorities about a possible prowler outside her home.
The video sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many disturbed by the footage of Officer Grayson yelling at Massey over a pot of water before shooting her in the face and discouraging his colleague from helping. In the video, Grayson says, “She’s done. You can go get it, but that’s a headshot.”
The harrowing images deeply affected Bronx rapper Cardi B, who shared her thoughts during a conversation on X Space, which Complex captured. She remarked, “That video of Sonya Massey is so disturbing. It’s so disturbing from beginning to end.”
The “Bongos” rapper noted Grayson’s reported history of DUIs, suggesting that too much grace may have contributed to his sense of impunity. “When you give somebody, especially a cop, so many chances like that to get their job back, that’s why when he shot her, he just knew that nobody was gonna tell him nothing,” she said.
She continued, “I swear to God, when the trial starts I don’t wanna hear an apology from him. I don’t wanna hear, like, ‘Ever since I killed Sonya, I have had nightmares, I haven’t been able to sleep at night.’ I don’t wanna hear none of that shit when that trial comes, ’cause motherfucker, we heard what you called her. You called her a bitch, you left her there to die, and you said it yourself.”
Cardi concluded by expressing doubt that anyone would reprimand Grayson for shooting her “over some fucking water.”
Singer, songwriter, and advocate Solange Knowles also shared a statement on X, writing, “First words Sonya Massey said at her front door were ‘don’t hurt me.’ She was told ‘why would we hurt you, you called us.’”
“When have those words meant anything when your [sic] black and woman in this country,” the “Cranes in the Sky” singer continued. “When do those words protect you from not being murdered in your kitchen, in your bedroom, with your babies, or on your lawn? What is ‘reassurance’ in this place ?”
“Rest in power Sonya Massey, and an abundance of love and power to Sonya’s family on this journey,” the 38-year-old star concluded.
Others, including President Joe Biden, DVSN, and Meek Mill, have also spoken out. The Philly native reposted an X user who wrote, “She said ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus’ & got shot in the face for it, my brain can not process that.” The rapper added, “She didn’t even have that pot in her hand if you slow it down!”
Grayson is currently in custody at Sangamon County Jail awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. If convicted, he faces prison sentences ranging from 45 years to life for murder, 6 to 30 years for battery, and 2 to 5 years for misconduct.
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