Sheriff’s Deputy Allegedly Shot a Woman in Illinois Who Called 911 for Help, Court Documents Claim
A sheriff's deputy allegedly shot a woman who had called officials for help in Illinois, court documents revealed.
Sonya Massey, 36, was shot in her home in Springfield, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago, CBS News reported.
On July 6, Massey called 911, fearing an intruder was in her home, according to the law office of Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing her family, CNN reported.
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Sean Grayson, and another deputy allegedly came for Massey's help at around 12.50 a.m.
The deputies were gathering information about the situation and making sure that the residence was safe when apparently an argument broke out about a pot of water, CNN reported. During the alleged dispute, Massey at one point held her hands up and apologized. Grayson reportedly yelled at Massey, to put the pot down.
As per a court document, Massey "appeared to be calm, perhaps unwell, not aggressive," when the two deputies came to her residence after her call, CNN reported. The pot of water was on the kitchen stove, and Grayson allegedly wanted it removed to prevent any accidental fires. The situation escalated and Grayson allegedly drew out his weapon.
Grayson allegedly fired three times, with one of the bullets striking Massey's face, according to court documents submitted by Sangamon County prosecutors, CNN reported.
As per the Sheriff's office, the alleged shooting was reported to them around 1:20 a.m., by the other deputy accompanying Grayson. Crump's office claims that Massey was unarmed.
According to the court document, Grayson's body camera was not activated till the shooting, CNN reported. The other deputy, who was checking the house with Grayon, had activated his body camera when he came on the scene.
Grayson instructed the other deputy not to retrieve the medical kit because of the severity of the injuries, CNN reported. The other deputy still provided medical aid until an ambulance arrived on the scene.
Massey was pronounced dead at St. John's Hospital, People reported.
According to Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, Massey died of a single gunshot wound, USA Today reported.
Illinois State Police conducted an independent investigation of the case and "did not support a finding that… Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force," the state’s attorney for the county, John Milhiser, said in a news release, CNN reported.
A Sangamon County Grand Jury has indicted Grayson on three counts of first-degree murder and a count each of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, Milhiser said, CNN reported. In his arraignment, Grayson entered a not-guilty plea against all the charges. A pretrial hearing regarding the case will happen on August 26.
The Sheriff's Office has fired Grayson, CNN reported.
Crump stated his opinions about the incident in a release and shared that it was "extremely hard to imagine how a woman who calls police out of fear of an intruder ends up shot… by the police in her own home."
Crump shared that the charges were a huge step forward in the path of pursuing justice for Massey, CNN reported. "This news is 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. We remain committed to uncovering the truth of what happened and identifying the failures that allowed this tragic death to occur," Crump added in a release.
Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, hopes that justice is served in the case, CNN reported.
"Sonya Massey was concerned for her safety and called law enforcement to her home for protection. Like all Illinoisans, she deserved that protection. Instead, innocent and unarmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law," Pritzker said in a news release.