An Illinois woman tragically lost her life this month when a sheriff’s deputy, who responded to her 911 call, fatally shot her inside her home. The incident occurred in the Springfield area, where 36-year-old Sonya Massey called for help believing there was an intruder in her residence.
Deputy Sean Grayson, along with another deputy, arrived at Massey's home around 12:50 a.m. and during an interaction inside the house, Grayson shot Massey. The shooting was reported by the deputies at 1:20 a.m., with no injuries to the deputies reported. Massey was unarmed at the time of the incident.
An Illinois State Police investigation found that Grayson was not justified in his use of deadly force. As a result, Grayson has been indicted on multiple charges including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He has been terminated from the sheriff’s department and is currently in custody awaiting arraignment.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey's family, expressed shock at the tragic turn of events, emphasizing the need for justice. Governor JB Pritzker also voiced his support for the charges brought against Grayson, acknowledging the need to protect citizens who seek law enforcement assistance.
Body camera footage of the incident has been viewed by Massey's family and will be released to the public on Monday. The footage, with certain images blurred out of respect, aims to provide transparency and shed light on the circumstances surrounding Massey's death.
The sheriff’s office condemned Grayson's actions, stating that they do not align with the values and training of law enforcement. The office emphasized the importance of upholding trust and safety within the community and called for unity in addressing such incidents.
