A fatal police shooting in Illinois sparked indignation among demonstrators and officials after an argument over a pot of heating water in the victim’s house.
Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, who has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the July 6 death of Sonya Massey, 36, is accused of shooting Massey in the face after he and another deputy were dispatched to her home shortly before 1 a.m. after she reported a possible prowler, according to the documents.
Grayson did not offer aid following the gunshot and discouraged his partner from doing so, according to a motion filed by prosecutors seeking to deny Grayson’s pretrial release.
Grayson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday, according to his attorney, Dan Fultz, who declined to speak further on the charges.
Prosecutors contended that Grayson posed a threat to the community and should be held without bail. A judge granted the request on Thursday.
According to an Illinois State Police report of the incident, deputies discovered a car at Massey’s residence that seemed to have been broken into. According to the summary, when deputies knocked on her door, they discovered her “distraught and not thinking clearly” and entered her residence.
According to the report, Grayson referred to a container on the stove in Massey’s kitchen before the discussion over the pot. Massey turned off the stove, took up the pot, carried it to the sink, and turned on the tap, according to the summary.
Grayson was about ten feet away from Massey, who asked the deputies what they were doing. “Getting away from your hot, steaming water,” Grayson said, according to the account.
“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey said twice, according to the report.
Grayson replied, “I swear to God.” The summary states, “I will shoot you right in your f—— face.”
When Grayson pulled his service pistol and told her to drop the pot, she let go and crouched underneath a line of cabinets, according to the summary.
According to the petition, Massey raised her hands in the air and apologized before ducking.
Grayson approached Massey while his revolver was still drawn, according to the report. She swiftly got up and grabbed the pot. Grayson continued to instruct her to drop the pot as he approached, and she spilled scorching hot water on a chair near the cabinets she had been hiding behind, according to the summary.
According to the records, as Massey flung the water, Grayson fired three times, striking her in the face.
According to the petition, when the second deputy entered the home and stated that he intended to retrieve a medical kit following the shooting, Grayson told him not to because of the seriousness of the injury. According to the petition, the other deputy continued to help Massey and stayed with him until medical help arrived. According to the report, Grayson did not attempt to assist Massey.
A use-of-force evaluation included in the state police documents determined that, while Grayson did not try to de-escalate the situation, he was appropriate in pointing his service weapon at Massey to persuade her to cooperate. However, the assessment concluded that the shooting was unjustified because Grayson advanced toward Massey, putting himself in danger of being wounded.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement Wednesday that Grayson was fired because it was evident he “did not act as trained or following our standards.”
Grayson is due back in court on August 26.
Following Grayson’s indictment on Wednesday, the Massey family’s lawyer, Ben Crump, called the charges “a step toward justice for Sonya’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since they were notified of this tragedy.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker stated that Massey was frightened about her safety and had requested police protection.
“Instead, innocent and unarmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law,” he stated, adding, “I am outraged that another innocent Black woman’s life was taken from her at the hands of a police officer.”