Killing of Sonya Massey

On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old black woman, was shot and killed in her home by Sean Grayson, a white deputy of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois, United States.

Massey called 911 about a possible prowler. Grayson and an unidentified deputy responded and found nothing after searching the vicinity. Moving inside her house, the deputies requested her ID, and Massey began searching for it. The situation escalated quickly when a deputy asked Massey to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove. Massey lifted the pot and said twice, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson threatened to shoot her in the face and drew his service pistol. His partner did the same and Grayson repeatedly yelled, "Drop the fucking pot," and Massey apologized. Grayson then shot her three times, hitting Massey in the head and ultimately killing her. The unidentified officer stated that he was going to get their medical kit, but Grayson told him not to.

Following the shooting, Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's office and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, among other charges. Provided by Wikipedia