An Illinois woman, Sonya Massey, was fatally shot inside her home by a sheriff's deputy named Sean Grayson on July 6, 2023. The shooting occurred after Massey called 911 due to her belief that there was an intruder in her home. Grayson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct by the Sangamon County grand jury on July 19, 2023. According to various reports, Massey was in the process of removing a pot from the stove when Grayson threatened her with his gun and shot her. Grayson did not attempt to render aid to Massey after shooting her. The deputies had responded to Massey's 911 call around 12:50 a.m., and Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office following the incident.
The details of the incident were revealed in court documents filed in support of keeping Grayson in custody without bond. Judge Ryan M. Cadagin agreed with this decision at a hearing on July 18, 2023, denying Grayson pretrial release. The judge described the actions taken by the former deputy as 'such a departure from the expectations of a civil society.'
Massey's family saw body camera footage of the incident on July 18 and it will be made public on July 23, according to statements from Illinois State Police. The other deputy present during the shooting rendered aid to Massey until medical help arrived.
Grayson is due back in court on August 26 for his arraignment. He had been with the sheriff's office for a year and a half after several jobs with other agencies around Springfield. The Sangamon County Sheriff, Jack Campbell, said that Grayson did not act as trained or in accordance with their standards and that there would be consequences if an officer abused the responsibility that came with wearing the badge.
The shooting of Massey has sparked protests and expressions of support from her family and community. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also expressed his condolences to Massey's family and called for justice in the case.