Charges have been filed against a sheriff’s deputy in the fatal shooting of an Illinois woman who had called authorities about a possible intruder, officials said Wednesday.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said Illinois State Police completed its investigation into Sonya Massey’s death, and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney has filed charges against deputy Sean Grayson.
Grayson has been indicted and charged on three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, according to attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family. NPR Illinois obtained a statement from Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, confirming those charges.
Grayson was also terminated, the sheriff’s office said.
“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards,” the office said.
It was not immediately clear if Grayson has an attorney. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, which appears to represent law enforcement in the state, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for more information Wednesday night.
Massey, 36, was shot and killed early July 6 after deputies with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office in Springfield responded to a call of a prowler, officials have said.
Officials provided little information in the days after the shooting about what transpired between when deputies arrived at her home shortly before 1 a.m. and when shots were fired and Massey was struck, around 1:21 a.m.
Community members, including Massey’s mother, gathered in protest last week and called for answers and the release of body camera footage.
Crump said in a statement Wednesday that Grayson allegedly shot Massey, who was unarmed, in the face.
“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,” Crump said. “We remain committed to uncovering the truth of what happened and identifying the failures that allowed this tragic death to occur.”
The sheriff’s office said Grayson’s alleged actions “do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole.”
“Good law enforcement officers stand with our community in condemning actions that undermine the trust and safety we strive to uphold,” the office said. “In times like these, it is crucial for leadership across all sides and spectrums to come together to heal our community.”
The sheriff’s office said body camera videos may be released Monday.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement that he is “enraged that another innocent Black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer.”
“Sonya Massey was concerned for her safety and called law enforcement to her home for protection,” he said. “Like all Illinoisans, she deserved that protection. Instead, innocent and unharmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law.”
