Sonya Massey (left) in Facebook photo, (right) fired deputy Sean Grayson after his indictment and booking into the Sangamon County Jail.
A 36-year-old woman was fatally “shot in the head” in her own Springfield, Illinois, home nearly two weeks ago after calling 911 to report a “prowler,” a lawyer for her family says. Now the since fired deputy who allegedly pulled the trigger faces a murder indictment.
According to local authorities, Sonya Massey was pronounced dead at St. John’s Hospital on July 6 after she called 911 in the early morning hours that day, fearing there was an intruder in her home. On Wednesday, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said that Sean Grayson is no longer employed as a deputy, that he “did not act as trained,” and noted that he is accused of official misconduct, aggravated battery with a firearm, and first-degree murder.
What the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said about its deputy’s firing after Sonya Massey’s death
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell revealed Wednesday that Grayson is out of a job and that bodycam footage of the shooting will be released Monday. He also alleged that the now former deputy Grayson “did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards” on July 6.
“First and foremost, my heart breaks for the family and friends of Sonya Massey. This is a tragic incident, and we mourn with them and the community,” the sheriff began, before announcing the completion of the shooting probe. “The Sangamon County State’s Attorney has filed charges against the deputy involved in the fatal shooting of Ms. Massey. It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. Therefore, Sean Grayson’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office has been terminated. It is my understanding that the body cam videos will be released on Monday, July 22nd; I completely support the release of the officers’ body cam videos in their entirety.”
“We are committed to justice and accountability. With our badge we accept enormous responsibility, and if that responsibility is abused, there should be consequences,” the sheriff added.
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As of Thursday afternoon, Sangamon County jail records searched by Law&Crime did not show Grayson in custody.
In the aftermath of the July 6 shooting at Massey’s Hoover Avenue home, authorities said they got a “911 call reporting a prowler” and that this is what followed: “Upon arrival, two Deputies conducted a search of the area. At approximately 1:21 a.m., the Deputies reported that shots had been fired, resulting in a female being struck by gunfire.”
What a prominent attorney for Sonya Massey’s family has said
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who has represented the families of Roger Fortson, Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, said Thursday that the indictment of Sean Grayson “serves as a first step” bringing Sonya Massey and her family “full justice.”
Massey, Crump said, was “fatally shot” in the head “in her own home — after she called 911 suspecting a break-in.”
In separate comments, Crump reportedly said that it was “extremely hard to imagine how a woman who calls the police out of fear of an intruder ends up shot in the head by the police at her own home.”
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