Illinois Woman Fatally Shot by Deputy: Former Sangamon County Sheriff's Officer Charged with Murder after Fatal Home Invasion

Springfield, Illinois United States of America
Deputy had responded to Massey's 911 call around 12:50 a.m.
Grayson charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct by Sangamon County grand jury on July 19, 2023
Grayson did not attempt to render aid to Massey after shooting
Grayson due back in court on August 26 for arraignment
Grayson had been with the sheriff's office for a year and a half, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said Grayson did not act as trained or in accordance with their standards and there would be consequences if an officer abused the responsibility that came with wearing the badge
Grayson was fired from Sangamon County Sheriff's Office following the incident
Illinois woman Sonya Massey fatally shot by sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson on July 6, 2023
Judge Ryan M. Cadagin agreed with keeping Grayson in custody without bond, describing his actions as 'such a departure from the expectations of a civil society'
Massey called 911 due to belief of an intruder in her home
Massey's family saw body camera footage of the incident on July 18, to be made public on July 23
Massey was in the process of removing a pot from the stove when Grayson threatened her with his gun and shot her
Other deputy present during the shooting rendered aid to Massey until medical help arrived
The shooting of Massey has sparked protests and expressions of support from her family and community, Governor J.B. Pritzker expressed condolences to Massey's family and called for justice in the case
Illinois Woman Fatally Shot by Deputy: Former Sangamon County Sheriff's Officer Charged with Murder after Fatal Home Invasion

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.



Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • Are there any past incidents involving Sean Grayson that could shed light on this situation?
  • Could the body camera footage reveal additional information that could change public opinion on the case?
  • Is there any possibility of the charges against Sean Grayson being reduced or dropped?

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Illinois deputy Sean Grayson aggressively yelled at Massey to put down a pot and she put her hands up before being shot in the face.
    • Grayson discouraged his partner from rendering aid to Massey after the shooting.
  • Accuracy
    • Illinois deputy Sean Grayson aggressively yelled at Massey to put down a pot and she put her hands up before being shot in the face
    • Grayson discouraged his partner from rendering aid to Massey after the shooting
    • Body camera footage does not support use of deadly force according to State’s Attorney John Milhiser
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • An Illinois woman, Sonya Massey, was fatally shot inside her home by a sheriff’s deputy named Sean Grayson on July 6, 2023.
    • 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.
    • Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office following the incident.
  • Accuracy
    • Sonya Massey was killed at her home in Springfield, IL after deputies arrived on scene
    • Deputy Grayson and another deputy responded to the call around 12:50 a.m.
    • Grayson fatally shot Massey during an interaction inside the home.
    • No deputies were injured in the incident, and Massey was unarmed according to her family’s representative Ben Crump.
    • An Illinois State Police investigation did not find that Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force.
    • Body camera footage of the incident will be publicly released on Monday, July 24, 2023.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

93%

  • Unique Points
    • Sonya Massey was 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.
  • Accuracy
    • Sonya Massey’s death was the result of an officer-involved shooting.
    • Deputy Sean Grayson entered a not guilty plea in court.
    • The courtroom was packed during the hearing and people applauded when Grayson entered a not guilty plea.
    • Grayson did not use a taser or other means during the incident, making him a risk according to the state.
    • Another deputy helped Massey after she was shot and rendered aid until medical help arrived.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the defendant's actions. However, no formal logical fallacies were found in the author's original assertions.
    • . . .the judge told them to stop.
    • The state argued that because Grayson chose not to use a taser or other things in his belt, he is a risk.
    • Defense also said that last year, Grayson was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and he currently has an ostomy bag and it's set to be removed in the next few months.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson faces multiple charges, including murder, for fatally shooting a woman named Sonya Massey during a 911 call response.
    • Grayson has been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
    • On July 6, Sonya Massey called the police to report a suspected intruder in her home, but was killed by Grayson instead.
    • Grayson reportedly discharged his firearm, striking Massey and killing her with a single gunshot wound to the head.
  • Accuracy
    • Body-camera footage of the incident will be released publicly on July 22 after consultation with Massey’s family.
    • Illinois deputy Sean Grayson charged with murder for shooting a woman named Sonya Massey in her face during a response to her 911 call about a possible prowler
    • Sonya Massey, 36, was killed at her home in Springfield, IL after deputies arrived on scene
    • Deputy Grayson and another deputy responded to the call around 12:50 a.m.
    • Grayson fatally shot Massey during an interaction inside the home.
    • No deputies were injured in the incident, and Massey was unarmed according to her family’s representative Ben Crump.
    • An Illinois State Police investigation did not find that Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson was charged with murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in the death of Sonya Massey on July 6.
    • The shooting occurred after Ms. Massey called 911 to report a prowler.
    • Deputy Grayson has been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
  • Accuracy
    • ,
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication