‘Shocked, horrified & heartbroken’: IL officials respond to body cam footage of Sonya Massey shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — After the release of body camera footage from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office, thousands expressed sorrow and anger over the killing of Springfield mother Sonya Massey.

The 36-year-old woman called the police because she thought there was an intruder outside her house. Two Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies responded, including former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.

In the video, Grayson aimed his gun at Massey after she moved a pot of boiling water on the stove. She put her hands up and lowered to the ground. Grayson fired three bullets, one of which hit Massey in the head.

State’s Attorney John Milhiser charged Grayson with three counts of first degree murder last week.

“My prayers are with the family of Sonya Massey, and I commend the Illinois State Police for
conducting an expedited investigation into her tragic death,” Milhiser said. “The
State’s Attorney’s Office is dedicated to pursuing justice through the prosecution of this case.”

The Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon did confirm Monday that Massey’s cause of death was a gunshot to the head.

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher said the community will feel “pain, sorrow, sadness, frustration and anger” when watching the video.

“This footage is a haunting demonstration of what we must never allow to happen,” she said. “Our hearts go out to the Massey family and to everyone in our community who has been affected by this senseless act.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul called the footage “horrific” and has “urged calm” while Grayson’s case plays out in court.

“In Illinois we have made sure that the law mandates independent investigations after officer involved shootings,” Raoul said. “In this matter it appears that the investigation by the Illinois State Police and the subsequent referral to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office have complied with the letter and spirit of the law by providing the appropriate transparency and moving toward accountability.”

Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) believes Massey should be alive today.

“Like everyone who has seen the footage of Sonya Massey’s murder, I’m shocked, horrified and heartbroken,” she said. “This was an act of senseless and unjustifiable violence — and it is an affront to our humanity.”

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said Monday at a news conference that Sonya was family friend of hers, and she was heartbroken.

“Nothing could prepare our community to see such a blatant disregard for human life. Sonya deserved so much more,” Turner said. “We need to come together to seek justice and do all we can to prevent another Black man or woman from being unjustly killed.”

Another Central Illinois State Senator, Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said he was “shocked and horrified” by what transpired.

“My heart goes out to Sonya and her family, who will remain in my thoughts and prayers. They deserve justice,” McClure (R-Springfield) said. “I commend the Sangamon County State’s Attorney for swiftly charging the Deputy with murder. When I was a prosecutor, I viewed hundreds of hours of police interactions and I never saw anything like this. The Deputy who committed this murder is exactly where he belongs, in jail.”

The Illinois Senate Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus called the act of violence “despicable and disgusting”.

“This is why we fought for increased transparency. This is why we fought for body camera requirements. This is why we fought to end cash bail to keep dangerous people detained.” Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) said. “But arresting and detaining the perpetrator isn’t the end. Justice demands answers and accountability. We need to know how and why someone capable of such a horrible act was given a badge and a gun in the first place.”

The ACLU of Illinois is calling for officers statewide to reflect on the incident to prevent further tragedies.

“This tragedy, however, demands more than words; it demands deep reflection and change. Sonya’s death – and too many similar, sad events – are the result of the bias that permeates much of our society – bias that too often associates danger with someone being Black or Brown. We all must examine our own hearts and commit to rooting out such preconceptions,” the group said in a statement. “This self-examination is essential for law enforcement in the Springfield area and across Illinois. It is imperative that law enforcement leaders seek to address the deep-seated bias experienced by too many people of color at the hands of police. Put simply, discrimination by police must end before we see further tragedies like Ms. Massey’s killing.”

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