Charges have been filed against a sheriff’s deputy in the shooting death of an Illinois woman who had called authorities about a possible intruder, authorities said Wednesday.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said Illinois State Police has concluded its investigation into the death of Sonya Massey, and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney has filed charges against Deputy Sean Grayson.
Grayson was indicted and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct, according to Theattorney Ben Crump, representing the Massey family. NPR Illinois obtained a statement from Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser confirming these allegations.
Grayson was also fired, the 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 whether 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 evening.
Massey, 36, was shot and killed early July 6 after deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office in Springfield responded to a call of a burglar, employees said.
Authorities provided little information in the days after the shooting about what happened between the time officers arrived at his 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 being notified of this tragedy,” Crump said. “We remain committed to uncovering the truth about 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 support our community in condemning actions that undermine the trust and safety we strive to defend,” the office said. “In times like these, it is crucial that leadership from all sides and spectrums come together to heal our community.”
The sheriff’s office said body camera videos could be released Monday.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said in a statement that he is “furious that another innocent black woman had her life taken at the hands of a police officer.”
“Sonya Massey was concerned for her safety and called authorities to her home for protection,” he said. “Like all Illinoisans, she deserved this protection. Instead, innocent and unharmed, she was shot by a law enforcement officer.”
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