A fatal police shooting in Illinois that sparked outrage from protesters and authorities began with an argument over a steaming pot in the victim’s home, according to court and police records.
According to documents, Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, who is indicted on first-degree murder and other charges in the July 6 killing of Sonia Massey, 36, is accused of shooting Massey in the face when he and another deputy were dispatched to Massey’s home shortly before 1 a.m. after Massey reported a possible wanderer.
According to the prosecution’s petition to deny Grayson pretrial release, Grayson did not render aid after the shooting and did not encourage his partner to do so.
Grayson’s attorney, Dan Fultz, said Grayson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday but declined to comment further on the charges.
Prosecutors argued Grayson is a threat to the community and should remain held without bail, a request that a judge granted Thursday.
According to a summary of the shooting from Illinois State Police, officers found Massey’s vehicle at her home, where it appeared her vehicle had been vandalized. After officers knocked on her door, they found her “distraught and not thinking clearly” and entered the home, the summary states.
The exchange over the pot happened after Grayson pointed to a container on Massey’s kitchen stove, according to the summary. Massey turned off the stove, picked up the pot, carried it to the sink and turned on the tap, the summary said.
Grayson was about 10 feet away from Massey, who asked the officers what they were doing.
“Getting out of the hot steam,” Grayson replied, according to the summary.
“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey said twice, according to the summary.
“I swear to God I’m gonna put a bullet in your f**king face,” Grayson responded, according to the summary.
Grayson pulled out his gun and ordered her to drop the pot, and she let go of the pot and crouched under a row of cabinets, the summary said.
Massey held up his hands and apologized before ducking, according to the petition.
Grayson approached Massey with his gun drawn., She quickly got up and grabbed the pot, and Grayson kept telling her to drop the pot as he got closer, and she poured the steaming hot water onto a chair next to the cupboard where she was bending over, according to the summary.
When Massey threw the water, Grayson fired three shots, hitting her once in the face, according to the documents.
When a second deputy who was at the home after the shooting said he was going to get a medical kit, Grayson told him not to, citing the severity of Massey’s injuries, according to the petition. The other deputy still attempted rescue and stayed with Massey until medical help arrived, according to the petition. Grayson did not attempt to help Massey, the petition states.
A use-of-force investigation included in state police documents found that Grayson was justified in pointing his gun at Massey to get him to comply, even though he did not try to defuse the confrontation, but that his firing was not justified because Grayson had advanced on Massey, putting him in a position to injure him.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement Wednesday that Grayson was fired because it was apparent he “did not act in accordance with his training and did not operate in accordance with department standards.”
Grayson is due to appear in court again on August 26th.
After Grayson’s indictment was announced Wednesday, Massey family attorney Ben Crump called the charges “a step toward justice for Sonia’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since being informed of this tragedy.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Wednesday that Massey was concerned about his safety and had sought police protection.
“But she was innocent, unarmed and shot and killed by a police officer,” he said, adding, “I am outraged that yet another innocent black woman has lost her life at the hands of a police officer.”
