An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a woman inside her home.
Springfield, Ill. — An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a woman inside her home.
Sonia Massey was killed July 6 after Sangamon County deputies responded to her 911 call, State’s Attorney John Milhiser said.
Milhiser’s statement did not describe the circumstances leading up to the shooting at Massey’s home in Springfield, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago. But he said a review of the body-camera video did not support the use of deadly force.
Deputy Sean Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, battery with a firearm and official misconduct, Milhiser said Wednesday.
Grayson, who is white, was in custody pending a court appearance on Thursday. Defense attorney Dan Fultz declined to comment.
Sheriff Jack Campbell said Grayson was fired.
“It’s clear that the deputy was not trained or performing up to our standards. … We take a tremendous responsibility with our badge, and if we abuse that responsibility, there should be consequences,” Campbell said.
Massey’s family’s attorney, Ben Crump, said the 36-year-old woman called police about a suspected break-in at her home. He said she was unarmed and shot in the face.
Crump said the charges were a step toward justice for “Sonia’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since the news of this tragedy.”
About 200 people gathered at the Springfield NAACP building Wednesday to show their support for Massey and his family.
“I am outraged that another innocent black woman’s life was taken from her by a police officer,” Illinois Governor JP Pritzker said following the indictment.
