
Sonya Massey, 36 years old, died in early July 2024 due to a bullet in her head fired by a former sheriff deputy, a 30-year-old white man, felt it was okay to shoot a young black woman in the head for handling a pot of hot water that he brought attention to while standing in her home. The video I saw was devastating. I agree with the response from President Biden, who said the family deserves justice.

She reached out to the sheriff's department because she believed she heard a prowler in or near her property. She was seeking assistance. Ironically, the prowler did not harm her, but the law enforcement officer ended up killing her. Is this a case of death due to cultural differences or bias? Is this a case of white supremacy or a disregard for human life? I would answer YES to all of these questions. I wonder why, if the officer felt threatened, he didn't aim for her leg or even fire a warning shot to make her put down the pot of boiling water.
Did you know that since 2015, more than 250 Black women have been killed by police officers? Over 100 police officers have been involved in fatal acts of violence against Black women. Racism, bias, and murder continue to devastate communities of color. In many instances, the officer responsible for the killing is not charged with a crime.
 I was relieved to learn that the officer, Sean Grayson, has at least been charged for his actions against Sonya Massey. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He is currently held in Manard County Jail without bond.

Do you recall Niani Finlayson, who was shot multiple times in the back by a sheriff's deputy named Ty Shelton in Lancaster, California? Niani's situation was another instance where a woman called 911 for assistance. Her child's father was being abusive. The officer dispatched to help claimed she had a large knife and intended to attack the abuser. Strangely, the abuser was unharmed by the sheriff, but deputies ended up killing the victim.
Why does this continue to occur in our communities?
Stories like this haunt many urban areas. We are traumatized by the ongoing deaths of people of color at the hands of law enforcement. The bias training and other training required by the police department seem ineffective for some officers. Many officers are doing an excellent job of securing and protecting our community. However, there always seem to be those officers who choose to shoot to kill a person of color instead of protecting them.
I understand that if a citizen has a weapon and poses a threat to the officer, they must defend themselves. However, in too many instances, the officer is not threatened, but they pose a threat to the average citizen.
What could be some solutions to this issue?
1. It is crucial that we continue sensitivity training on bias and cultural differences. Law enforcement needs to eliminate officers who lack the temperament for regular patrol.
2. It would be beneficial to examine an officer's background more closely and how they interact with people from different cultures.
3. All officers, including officers of color, may need to address issues that could require more clinical observation related to post-traumatic stress and other mental challenges.
4. Prosecute more officers for crimes they commit so fellow officers can see that their offenses will be treated like those of other offenders.
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