Illinois Deputy Charged in Sonya Massey Shooting

President Joe Biden expressed his heartbreak over the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, by a sheriff's deputy in her home in Springfield, Illinois. Massey had called 911 regarding a prowler, but Deputy Sean Grayson shot her after a brief conversation, despite prosecutors asserting she posed no threat. Biden emphasized that all Americans should be able to call for help without fearing for their lives, highlighting the disproportionate fears faced by Black Americans. Grayson has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery, facing life imprisonment if convicted. The release of body camera footage has sparked outrage and prompted calls for justice, including the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump likened the incident to historical injustices faced by Black Americans.