Killing of Sonya Massey

Killing of Sonya Massey

Massey, depicted in an undated photo.
Date	July 6, 2024
Time	≈Tooltip Approximation 1:20 a.m. (CT)
Location	Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Type	Homicide by shooting, police killing
Deaths	Sonya Massey
Accused	Sean Grayson
Charges	First-degree murder (3 counts) Aggravated battery with a firearm Official misconduct

On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black American woman, was shot and killed in her home by a deputy of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office in Springfield, Illinois.

The shooting followed a 911 call that Massey herself placed in reference to a "prowler." After (now former) deputy Sean Grayson, the shooter, and another unidentified deputy entered Massey's home following a search of the immediate vicinity, the three engaged in brief conversation surrounding Massey's driver's license and a vehicle in her driveway. After Grayson directed Massey to check on the boiling pot of water on her stove, the exchange quickly escalated, both deputies drew their service pistols, and Grayson shot Massey three times, killing her. Following the shooting, Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's office and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, among other charges.

Killing

Early on the morning of July 6, 2024, Massey called the authorities as she believed that someone had broken into her home. Two deputies, Grayson and the second unidentified deputy, responded and subsequently searched Massey's backyard and the immediate vicinity of her property. Finding no evidence of any suspicious activity or persons, the officers approached Massey's front door and Grayson knocked multiple times to no avail. After approximately three minutes, Massey opened the door and engaged in conversation with the deputies. The deputies informed Grayson that they hadn't found anything of note in their search while Grayson used her cell phone. As the deputies prepared to end the exchange, the unidentified officer walked around the side of Massey's house to report the license plate number of a vehicle in her driveway that Massey informed deputies was not hers. Massey and Grayson continued to engage in conversation. After the unidentified officer walked back to Massey's front door, the three enter Massey's residence.

Inside the home, Grayson repeatedly asked Massey to provide her driver's license and discussed the vehicle parked in her driveway. As the unidentified deputy looked around the residence, Massey can be seen looking through a small stack of papers and her purse. At one point, Massey asks Grayson to hand her a Bible. After around a minute and a half of searching, the deputies mention a pot of water boiling on Massey's stove and request that she check on it, as they "don't need a fire while we're here." After Massey picks up the pot of water and walks from her stove to her sink, the unidentified deputy and Massey move backwards. Massey asks the officers what they're doing, as in why are they backing up. Grayson replies that he's distancing himself from the pot of hot, boiling water. Massey repeats her question, and says, "I'll rebuke you in the name of Jesus." After Massey repeats her statement at Grayson's prompting, Grayson draws his gun and replies, "You better fucking not, I swear to God I'll fucking shoot you right in your fucking face." The unidentified deputy also draws his gun. Massey immediately apologizes and drops to the floor, however both deputies advance from the living room towards the kitchen with their weapons trained on Massey. After several seconds of shouting orders to Massey for her to drop the pot of water, Grayson fires three shots at Massey, mortally wounding her. The unidentified deputy radios that shots had been fired and that there was a woman with a headshot wound. They begin to leave to grab their medical kit, however Grayson tells them not to, saying that, "she's done." Massey was later pronounced dead at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

Body-camera footage of the shooting was released July 22.

People involved

Sonya Massey

Sonya Massey was a black American woman.

Sean Patrick Grayson

Sean Patrick Grayson, the officer who shot and killed Massey worked at six different police departments in just under 4 years in between August 11, 2020 and July 17, 2024 where he was terminated for cause after the shooting. He had two prior DUI convictions. Authorities say that Grayson discouraged his partner from trying to save her, which was audible from the bodycam footage released on July 22, 2024.

According to his lawyer, Grayson is a army veteran who has stage 3 colon cancer, which was diagnosed last fall. Some speculate that his cancer diagnosis was a motive behind the killing, with his lawyer alleging that due to him having cancer, his detention would become a burden on the country because he "requires special medical treatment".

His lawyer also said Grayson was not a threat to the community because he was compliant and turned himself in within a half-hour after his arrest warrant was issued.

On July 17th, 2024, a grand jury indicted Grayson on five counts, including three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and one count of official misconduct. Grayson is being held in jail until after his trial.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the shooting, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation of the incident, which was turned over to the Illinois State Police. The investigation was completed within ten days. Within the two weeks of the shooting, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office terminated Grayson, stating that, "It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. ... 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." The second, unidentified officer was placed on administrative leave.

On July 17th, 2024, a grand jury indicted Grayson on five counts, including three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and one count of official misconduct. Grayson is being held in jail until after his trial.

Massey's family retained Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney who has represented several other victims of high-profile instances of police brutality, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

Reactions

• United States President Joe Biden issued a statement immediately following the release of the bodycam footage of the incident by the Illinois State Police condemning Massey's killing, stating that, "Americans ... should be able to [call for help] without fearing for our lives," and that Massey, "should be alive today."
• Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker condemned the killing, stating that he was, "enraged that another innocent black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer," and that he was, "grateful to the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office for bringing the appropriate charges in this case.
• US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois stated that his "thoughts are with the family and loved ones" of Massey. He further stated that "The Illinois State Police conducted a thorough investigation of Sonya’s tragic death, and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney brought the necessary charges in a timely way."

• The City of Springfield announced an increased police presence in response to the killing and subsequent protests by Massey's family and supporters.

See also

• Killing of Atatiana Jefferson
• List of unarmed African Americans killed by law enforcement officers in the United States