On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two from Springfield, Illinois, was fatally shot by former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson. The incident occurred after Massey called 911 to report a suspected prowler outside her home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue.
Massey's mother, Donna, had called 911 the day before, informing dispatchers that Sonya was experiencing a mental health crisis but was not suicidal and did not pose a threat to herself or
others. However, this critical information was not relayed to the deputies who responded to Sonya's call on July 6.
When Deputy Grayson and his partner arrived at Massey's residence, she answered the door in her nightgown and welcomed them into her home. Bodycam footage shows the deputies searching outside and then entering the house. Inside, Grayson instructed Massey to check on a pot overheating on the stove. During this interaction, Massey picked up the pot and asked where the deputies were going. Grayson responded, and shortly thereafter, he took aim at Massey's face and fired a fatal gunshot, killing her in her kitchen.
The autopsy report from the Sangamon County Coroner's office confirmed that Massey died from a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet causing a skull fracture, perforating her carotid artery, and resulting in bleeding in her brain. She also suffered minor blunt force injuries to her right leg.
Following the shooting, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) to conduct an independent investigation, which was initiated at 1:42 AM on July 6, before Massey's death was confirmed. The ISP investigation found that Grayson's use of deadly force was not justified.
Deputy Sean Grayson was subsequently fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office on July 17, 2024, and was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in the Sangamon County Jail while awaiting trial.
The U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating the shooting, and local officials have called for reforms within the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, highlighting a pattern of misconduct allegations and accountability failures that predate the incident involving Massey.
Massey's family and community have expressed deep grief and outrage over her death, with her family's attorney, Ben Crump, and others advocating for justice and reforms in police procedures. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also issued a statement condemning the incident and calling for justice for Massey and her family.
