An Illinois woman, Sonya Massey, 36, was fatally shot in her home by Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson after she called 911 for help.
The tragic incident occurred on July 6, when Massey reported a possible intruder in her Springfield-area home.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family, stated that deputies Grayson and another officer responded to the call around 12:50 a.m. While ensuring the home’s safety, a dispute over a pot of hot water escalated.
According to prosecutors, Massey apologized with her hands up before Grayson fired his gun, hitting her in the face. Massey was unarmed.
The Illinois State Police investigation concluded that Grayson’s use of deadly force was unjustified.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser announced Grayson’s indictment on three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Grayson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was denied pretrial release. He has since been terminated from the sheriff’s department.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the pursuit of justice for Massey’s family, marking the indictment as a crucial step. Governor JB Pritzker expressed his sorrow and outrage, condemning the deputy’s actions and calling for community healing.
Body camera footage of the incident will be released next week, providing further details on the tragic events. Massey’s funeral is scheduled for Friday morning.
