SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with the murder of a Black woman who was shot in the face after calling 911 to report a possible prowler at her home.
Sonya Massey, 36, was killed inside her home in Springfield after deputies responded to her 911 call around 1 a.m. on July 6 reporting the possible prowler. The incident was caught on body camera video.
Sean Grayson, who is white, was indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.
Prosecutors said the now-former Sangamon County deputy of “aggressively” yelling at Massey who was moving a pot of water heating on the stove to the counter before he allegedly pulled out his weapon and fired it at Massey who had put her hands in the air and said “I’m sorry.”
Grayson, 30, also discouraged the other deputy who responded to the scene from getting his medical kit. Grayson did not attempt to render aid to Massey after she was shot.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) investigated the deadly use-of-force incident at the request of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, Sheriff Jack Campbell said Grayson was terminated because his actions July 6 did not follow the department’s training and policies.
Grayson was being held in custody without bond on Thursday.
County Circuit Judge Ryan M. Cadagin said Massey, who weighed about 110 pounds, did not pose a threat to Grayson, who is 6-foot 3-inches tall, and weighs 228 pound. Grayson was also armed when he responded to the scene with another deputy.
Cadagin said Grayson’s actions on July 6 were “a departure from the expectations of a civil society.”
Dozens of family members and supporters filled the courtroom on Thursday during Grayson’s first court appearance. The deputy-involved shooting of Massey has caused an uproar and sparked a protest last week outside of the Sangamon County government building.
Grayson’s defense attorney Dan Fultz argued for the former deputy’s release, saying he was not a threat to the community because was cooperative with authorities and turned himself within about 30 minutes an arrest warrant was issued for him. Fultz also said Grayson had planned to marry later this year. He also said there was a Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis last year that would be a burden on the county if Grayson remained behind bars.
Fultz asked for Grayson to be released from custody to electronic monitoring at home on the conditions that weapons be removed from Grayson’s home, and he undergo a mental health evaluation.
Grayson is expected back in court Aug. 26.
More on the fatal, deputy-involved shooting and protests.
