Sonya Massey, a Springfield resident who had called the police to report a potential intruder, was shot and killed. An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged in her death. Sean Grayson, the deputy, is accused of three counts of official misconduct, aggravated battery with a firearm, and first-degree murder.
More Information Regarding The Murder Of Sonya Massey
After looking over the deputies’ reports and body camera footage, the Illinois State Police reviewed the memorandum. Deputy Grayson and another deputy arrived at Ms. Massey’s residence responding to her 911 call about an intruder. Officers knocked on the door yelling through Massey’s door repeatedly “Are you coming to the door or not?” After several moments officers are seen searching the areas around Massey’s home.
Sonya Massey Finally comes to the door and says “Please God, somebody is out here and I needed your help, please don’t hurt me y’all” You can hear the first officer say “Why would we hurt you? You called us” The second officer chimed in “We’re not going to hurt you“. The officers then proceeded to ask Sonya “So what did you hear? Is this your car over here?“
Sonya Massey seemed to be shaken up by the officer’s presence as she pleaded out loud “please God please God please please please” The policemen continued to ask Massey a series of questions as she seemed fearful of the men while they confirmed with her that they had checked her surroundings and that there hadn’t seemed to be any suspicious activity, but Sonya kept pleading to herself hoping they wouldn’t harm her.
What Took Place Inside Of Sonya Massey’s Home?
Moreover, The officer asked Sonya Massey “what took her so long to answer the door?” Sonya stated “I was trying to put on some (clothes)’s sir, I’m sorry I was getting dressed, I’m sorry” The officers proceeded to ask Massey if there was anything they could do for her, she said no they then asked if she was mentally alright she said “yes I took my medicine and stuff” as they all began to wrap things up. Sonya was stepping back into her home saying to the officers “I love yall thank yall”
The officers felt the need to continue to press Sonya about her 911 call of suspicion and decided to check the black parked car once more. That’s when the officers entered Sonya’s home to further their investigation, and that’s when things took a turn for the worst. Sonya is seen coming from her kitchen, it appears she was boiling water prior to the incident. She goes to take a seat on her living room couch while the officers are searching her home. You can hear Sonya on the phone with a dispatcher informing them of everything that’s taking place at the time.
What Were Officer Grayson’s Motives?
According to the footage, after a verbal exchange between Sonya and Officer Grayson, Sonya is seen looking for her bible, still feeling fearful of the officer’s presence. Grayson advised her to take her boiling pot of water off of her stove to prevent a fire, that’s when Sonya got up, went to her kitchen, and moved the pot of water to the sink. Sonya asked Grayson “Where are you going” twice, Grayson answered “away from your hot steaming water” Sonya repeated “Away from my hot steaming water? Oh I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” Thats when Officer Grayson threatened to shoot Sonya in the face, becoming extremely infuriated. Then, the situation became more volatile.
Last, The officer pulled out his service gun, pointed it at Sonya, and yelled at her to drop the pot. Prosecutors said that Ms. Massey threw her arms in the air, apologized, and ducked behind a counter to hide. According to the footage, Mr. Grayson went to the counter and pointed his gun at Sonya while he was still screaming at her to drop the pot. It said that Sonya got up and grabbed the pot once more, throwing out the water. According to the prosecutor’s officer Grayson fired three times, with one of the shots striking the 36-year-old woman in the face. Given the seriousness of the wound, Mr. Grayson discouraged his colleague from taking the medical kit out of his car, according to the prosecution. They claimed that the second deputy continued to assist and remained with Ms. Massey until assistance arrived. An area hospital declared Ms. Massey dead. Mr. Grayson claimed in the footage that he had worried about his safety.
The Talk Lounge is praying for justice for Sonya Massey
SAY HER NAME!
