Illinois deputy charged with murder discouraged partner from trying to save Sonya Massey, records say

A fatal law enforcement shooting in Illinois that prompted outrage from protesters and officials followed a dispute over a pot of steaming water in the victim’s home, court and law enforcement records say.

Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, who was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and other crimes in the July 6 killing 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 render aid after the shooting and discouraged his partner from doing so, according to a petition from prosecutors seeking to deny pretrial release for Grayson.

Grayson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday, according to his lawyer, Dan Fultz, who would not comment further on the charges. 

Prosecutors argued that Grayson was a threat to the community and should remain in custody without bail. A judge granted the request Thursday.

According to an Illinois State Police summary of the shooting, deputies found a car at Massey’s home that appeared to have been broken into. After they knocked on her door, the deputies found her “distraught and not thinking clearly” and entered her home, the summary says.

The exchange over the pot came after Grayson motioned to a container, which was on the stove in Massey’s kitchen, according to the summary. Massey turned off the burner, picked up the pot, carried it to the sink and turned on the faucet, the summary says.

Grayson was roughly 10 feet from Massey, who asked the deputies what they were doing.

“Getting away from your hot, steaming water,” Grayson responded, according to the summary.

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey said twice, the summary says.

Grayson responded, “I swear to God. I will shoot you right in your f—— face,” according to the summary.

When Grayson drew his service weapon and ordered her to drop the pot, she let go, then crouched below a line of cabinets, the summary says. 

According to the petition, Massey put her hands in the air and apologized before she ducked.

Grayson approached Massey with his gun still drawn, according to the summary. She quickly stood up and grabbed the pot. Grayson continued to tell her to drop the pot as he approached, and she threw steaming hot water on a chair next to the cabinets she had been ducking behind, the summary says.

When Massey threw the water, Grayson fired three times, striking her once in the face, according to the documents. 

After the shooting, when the second deputy in the home said he planned to retrieve a medical kit, Grayson told him not to because of the severity of the injury, according to the petition. The other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Massey until medical help arrived, the petition says. It says Grayson did not try to aid Massey.

A use-of-force review included in the state police documents found that while Grayson did not attempt to de-escalate the encounter, he was justified in pointing his service weapon at Massey to get her to comply. But the review found the shooting was not justified because Grayson advanced toward Massey and put himself in a position where he could have been injured. 

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement Wednesday that Grayson had been fired because it was clear he “did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards.”

Grayson is due back in court on Aug. 26.

After the announcement of Grayson’s indictment Wednesday, Ben Crump, the Massey family’s lawyer, described the charges as “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.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Wednesday that Massey had been concerned for her safety and called law enforcement for protection.

“Instead, innocent and unarmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law,” he said, adding: “I am enraged that another innocent Black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer.”