Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy charged with first-degree murder

[July 19, 2024]  BETH HUNDSDORFER
Capitol News Illinois
[e-mail]

A Springfield woman’s call for help ended with her death and the indictment of a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

Sonya Massey called police to investigate a prowler at her home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue near Springfield around 12:50 a.m. on July 6. About 30 minutes later, the deputies who responded to the call reported shots fired and Massey was struck by gunfire. She later died at a local hospital.

In the days following her death, few details were released about what happened to Massey, a Black woman. On Wednesday, body camera footage from the night she died was shown to her family in private.

On the same day, Sean Grayson, one of the deputies who responded to Massey’s call for help, was indicted by a Sangamon County grand jury. And on Thursday, Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser filed a request to detain Grayson while he awaits trial, detailing the events of July 6.

Massey put her hands up in the air, apologized then ducked behind her kitchen counter when Grayson fired three shots, fatally striking her in the face, according to the court filing. Grayson then dissuaded his partner from getting his first aid kit because Massey was too injured.

After the shooting, the document stated, Grayson turned on his body camera, which had been off. But the other officer on the scene had their camera on when they arrived and throughout the incident. After gaining entry to the house, the unidentified officer cleared the house, not finding any intruder.

Grayson then noticed a pot on the stove that contained heated water, the document said, and gave Massey permission to move it. She placed it on a counter while Grayson was in the living room area.

Despite his distance, Grayson, who was 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 225 pounds, drew his 9 mm firearm, not his TASER, and threatened to shoot Massey in the face, according to the document.

Massey, who was not aggressive and weighed 110 pounds, put her hands in the air and said, "I'm sorry" while ducking for cover behind a counter that separated her and the defendant, according to the document.

With his firearm still drawn, prosecutors alleged Grayson moved to close the "significant gap" between him and Massey, then yelled at her to put the pot down.

It wasn't clear from the document whether she had put the pot down when she was shot.

The document stated that Grayson fired his gun three times, striking her once in the face.

Despite Grayson telling his fellow officer not to provide aid to Massey because she was too wounded, the other officer helped her and stayed with her until the ambulance arrived.

Illinois State Police investigated the case and an expert in the use of force reviewed the body camera video of both deputies. The expert concluded, according to document, that Grayson was "NOT justified" in the use of force.

"He likened the scenario to an officer intentionally and unnecessarily putting himself in front of a moving vehicle and then justifying use of force because of the fear of being struck," according to the document.

Sangamon County Complex (Capitol News Illinois file photo)

Grayson's "disregard for human life shows by clear and convincing evidence that he is a danger to persons in the community," the document said. "He has ample access to firearms and has shown a willingness to use lethal force, despite the availability of non-deadly alternatives, when there is little to no threat to his bodily safety."

Grayson was fired, according to a statement by Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell.

“The actions taken by Deputy Grayson do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole,” Campbell said in the statement. “Good law enforcement officers stand with our community in condemning actions that undermine the trust and safety we strive to uphold.”

Grayson was certified as a part-time police officer in 2021, according to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Since then, he has worked for police departments around central Illinois, including Pawnee, Kincaid, Virden, Auburn and the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, according to ILETSB. He joined the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department in May 2023.

Grayson was charged in 2015 and 2016 with driving under the influence in Macoupin County. He pleaded guilty to the charges and received supervision.

After Massey’s shooting, Campbell had turned the investigation over to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations for review.

The shooting prompted protests and calls for action. A police department near where Massey was shot issued a letter warning of unrest and possible looting. On Wednesday, the charges against Grayson prompted a statement by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“Sonya Massey was concerned for her safety and called law enforcement to her home for protection. Like all Illinoisans, she deserved that protection. Instead, innocent and unarmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law. My heart breaks for Sonya’s children, for her family and friends and for all who knew and loved her, and I am enraged that another innocent black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer,” Pritzker said in a written statement.

Massey’s family has retained noted civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, who has represented the families of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and George Floyd. Crump gained prominence in his advocacy for victims of police brutality.

On Hoover Avenue in Springfield, neighbors said they awoke after midnight on July 6 to find police cars lined up on their street. Crime scene tape surrounded the white frame house.

One woman who asked that her name not be used said she saw police around the house in the 2800 block of Hoover shining flashlights in the windows. She said she heard noises but didn’t know if it was gunshots or fireworks.

At the home, stuffed animals, candles and flowers were left on the porch in Massey’s honor. Neighbors described her as a devoted mother to her two children.

“She was a nice lady,” said the woman. “She did not deserve to have this happen to her.”

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