Illinois deputy charged with murder shot woman in face after ordering her to move pot of water

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

An Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with murder in the death of a Black woman shot her in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home and then discouraged his partner from trying to save her, authorities said Thursday.

The details were in a court document filed in support of keeping fired Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson in custody without bond. County Circuit Judge Ryan M. Cadagin agreed, denying Grayson pretrial release at a hearing Thursday in Springfield.

Cadagin described the actions the former deputy is accused of as “such a departure from the expectations of a civil society.”

Sonya Massey, 36, was killed at her home in Illinois' capital city, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago, after deputies responded to her 911 call about a possible prowler early on July 6.

Prosecutors said Grayson “aggressively yelled” at Massey to put a pot down and then she put her hands in the air, declared “I'm sorry” and ducked for cover before being shot in the face. Grayson also discouraged the other deputy from getting his medical kit, prosecutors said.

“The other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical help arrived,” First Assistant State's Attorney Mary Rodgers wrote. Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms. Massey.”

State's Attorney John Milhiser said a review of body camera video doesn't support the use of deadly force. A statement released by his office said Massey's family saw the video Wednesday and the footage will be made public Monday.

Grayson, who is white, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Thursday. Defense attorney Dan Fultz declined to comment to The Associated Press.

More than 30 of Massey's family members and their supporters filled the seats of the courtroom Thursday. Fultz said in court that Grayson was compliant and turned himself in within a half-hour of the indictment issued Wednesday by grand jurors.

Sheriff Jack Campbell said Grayson has been fired.

“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. ... With our badge we accept enormous responsibility, and if that responsibility is abused, there should be consequences,” Campbell said Wednesday.

Ben Crump, an attorney for Massey's family, said the charges were 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.”

As many as 200 people gathered Wednesday at the Springfield NAACP building to express support for Massey and her family.

"I am enraged that another innocent Black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said after the indictment.

Grayson is due back in court Aug. 26. Fultz said he is 30 years old and had been with the sheriff's office for a year and a half after several jobs with other agencies around Springfield.

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Perez Winder reported from Chicago and White from Detroit.