Deputy indicted for murder of Sonya Massey, fired by Sangamon Co. Sheriff

7:30 p.m. Update:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Governor J.B. Pritzker released a statement on the charges of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson:

“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. May Sonya Massey’s memory be a blessing, and may it fuel our work to build a system of justice in this country that truly protects all of its citizens.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy has been indicted for first-degree murder.

Sean Grayson of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office was charged on Wednesday for the murder of Sonya Massey. The Springfield woman called 911 because a ‘prowler’ was around her home on Hoover Avenue around 1 a.m. on July 6. Deputies were dispatched at the residence; around 30 minutes later, they had reported a woman was shot.

Massey was later pronounced dead at a Springfield hospital.

John Milhiser, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney, said Deputy Grayson fired his weapon at Massey. Milhiser did not find Grayson’s use of deadly force “justified”. A grand jury has charged the deputy on Wednesday with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.

The deputy is in custody and will have his first court date Thursday. The State’s Attorney will file a petition to detain Grayson in accordance with the SAFE-T ACT.

Multiple protests have gathered , demanding the release of more information surrounding Massey’s death. Both the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office have addressed transparency concerns with public information related to the shooting, and the Sheriff’s Office announced the body camera footage will be released 10 a.m. Monday.

Massey’s family watched the body camera footage Thursday. The body camera footage will be unredacted besides “certain images” out of respect of Massey’s family, the State’s Attorney office said.

Jack Campbell, the Sangamon County Sheriff, announced Grayson’s termination in a statement, and expressed sympathy for Massey’s family.

“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. Our office will continue to cooperate fully with the criminal proceedings as this case moves forward. We must continue to trust our justice system and the legal process, and work together as a community so the actions of one person does not divide us.”

Sheriff Jack Campbell

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