Deputy Charged In Murder Of 'Innocent And Unarmed' Woman Who Called 911

ILLINOIS — A fired Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy faces charges including first-degree murder in the killing of Springfield mother Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot after calling 911 to report a prowler.

The death of Massey, who was Black, has sparked protests outside the Sangamon County Building, according to the State Journal-Register.

The killing has also led to the firing of Deputy Sean Grayson, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

The day of the shooting, July 6, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office issued a news release saying that at 12:50 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue for a 911 call reporting a prowler. At 1:21 a.m., deputies said shots had been fired, "resulting in a female being struck by gunfire."

The woman, later identified as Massey, was taken to St. John's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. At the time, the sheriff's office said it had requested an investigation by Illinois State Police.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement Wednesday that the ISP investigation had been completed. "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," he said.

Campbell continued:

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 ... 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. Good law enforcement officers stand with our community in condemning actions that undermine the trust and safety we strive to uphold. In times like these, it is crucial for leadership across all sides and spectrums to come together to heal our community.

We are committed to justice and accountability. With our badge we accept enormous responsibility, and if that responsibility is abused, there should be consequences.

On Wednesday, Massey's family members were shown body camera footage from the night she died as supporters stood outside the Springfield NAACP office, NPR Illinois reported. Campbell said officials expect to publicly release the body camera footage on Monday, July 22.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser said Massey was shot inside her home, and that a review of body camera footage does not support a justification of deadly force, WAND-TV reported.

Milhiser said his office will file a petition to deny pretrial release for Grayson, who remains in custody.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has reportedly been retained by Massey's family and was scheduled to attend her funeral on Friday, NPR reported.

"The Illinois deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her own home — after she called 911 suspecting a break-in — has been indicted for first-degree murder and other charges," Crump said on social media Thursday. "This indictment serves as a first step toward earning her family full justice."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statement regarding Massey's death, saying, "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.

"I’m grateful to the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office for bringing the appropriate charges in this case," Pritzker added.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said that Massey's "final moments are another haunting demonstration of a system that failed to protect and serve," adding, "It is unconscionable that a call for help would result in such a tragic and preventable loss of life. The announcement of charges by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office is a first step toward accountability."