On July 6, 2024, Deputy Sean Patrick Grayson of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office fatally shot Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, at her home in Woodside Township, near Springfield, Illinois.
Previous Mental Health Alerts
Early morning the previous day, Sonya Massey had experienced a mental health crisis, as indicated by a call from her mother, Donna Massey, to 911 on July 5. Donna had reported that her daughter was suffering from a mental breakdown, exhibiting paranoia, and showing signs of what she believed could be schizophrenia. She described Sonya as not being a danger to herself or others, but noted that when upset, Sonya believed others were out to get her. Police visited Massey after her mother’s call, but Sonya declined to speak with medical professionals.
Previous Hospitalization
Later that day, Massey herself made a 911 call, claiming a neighbor had caused damage to her vehicle. She claimed that the individual broke her driver’s side window with a brick. This incident was later clarified at the hospital, where Massey admitted to breaking another window herself in an attempt to gain access to her car.
These actions suggest that Massey felt distressed and confused, which aligns with her described mental state. Hospital staff acknowledged her condition, using the police code “10-96” for mental health problems. Furthermore, she had recently been discharged from a mental health facility, which might have left her feeling unsettled and prone to interpreting ambiguous situations as threatening.
How Calling 911 Turned Deadly
On the morning of July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey initially called 911 because she believed there was a prowler or intruder near her home in Woodside Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. This call was not her first interaction with emergency services; it followed a series of previous 911 calls related to her mental health struggles. Moreover, she had reported a tense incident involving her car the day before.
The call on July 6 was prompted by her fear and anxiety, likely exacerbated by her recent mental health challenges, and her perception that there was an imminent threat outside her residence.
Deputies Arrived on Scene
Upon arrival, the deputies began by searching the exterior of Massey’s home, looking for any signs of forced entry or the presence of an intruder. They canvassed the property, checking the backyard and surrounding areas for any suspicious activity. Despite Massey’s concerns, they found no evidence of a prowler or any other immediate threat. The deputies knocked on Massey’s door and, after several minutes, she answered. Their initial interaction involved informing Massey of their inability to locate any
The deputies then engaged in conversation with Massey at her front door. Grayson and his partner attempted to ascertain more details about Massey’s claims and to identify her formally by requesting her identification. Massey’s behavior, influenced by her mental health condition, appeared erratic to the officers, who failed to recognize the need for a more sensitive approach. Instead, they pressed for information about a vehicle parked in her driveway, which Massey identified as not belonging to her.
The deputies then entered Massey’s residence, a decision that significantly altered the dynamics of the situation. Inside, they continued to question her about her identification and the vehicle, seemingly unaware or dismissive of her growing distress
The Confrontation
The confrontation between Sonya Massey and the deputies responding to her 911 call was a tragic escalation of what began as a plea for help. The situation inside quickly deteriorated as Grayson noticed a pot of boiling water on Massey’s stove and asked her to turn off the stove to avoid starting a fire.
Massey quickly moved to the stove, transferred the pot in the sink and poured it down the drain. She then asked Grayson, “Where are you going?” Grayson had stepped back into the living room of the small home, separated from her by a cluttered counter. Grayson and Massey both chuckled as he responded, “Away from your hot, steaming water.”
In the middle of her mental breakdown Massey unexpectedly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” prompting Grayson to draw his 9 mm pistol and warn her, “You better (expletive) not, or I swear to God I’ll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face.”
From there Grayson’s demeanor was aggressive, repeatedly shouting at Massey to put down the pot of boiling water. He drew his weapon and warned Massey, visibly frightened, she crouched down and apologized while holding a red oven mitt in front of her face. The confrontation reached its tragic climax when Grayson fired three shots, fatally wounding Massey.
The Body Worn Camera
On July 22, 2024, authorities released body camera footage of the incident to the public, revealing the chaotic sequence of events leading up to the shooting. The footage shows that Massey may not have been holding the pot at all before being shot. Nevertheless, Grayson claimed that Massey had thrown the pot of water at him, which he used to justify his use of lethal force.
The footage also shows that Grayson failed to activate his body-worn camera until after the shooting, raising questions about transparency and accountability. His partner, however, did capture the entire encounter, providing a crucial account of the incident. After the shooting, Grayson dissuaded his partner from administering aid to Massey, stating that she was beyond help due to a “head shot.” Despite this, the other deputy attempted to render aid until emergency medical services arrived, but Massey was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital.
The Officer That Murder Sonya Massey
Deputy Sean Grayson, the former sheriff’s deputy charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, has become a focal point of controversy following the incident on July 6, 2024. Grayson, who is 30 years old, has had a checkered career in law enforcement, having worked in six different police departments over the past four years within Illinois. His employment history is marked by frequent job changes and a pattern of short tenures, raising questions about his suitability for law enforcement roles. This tumultuous career path is now under scrutiny, particularly in light of the tragic outcome of his last assignment with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
His Employment Record Now Scrutinized
Grayson’s employment records reveal a series of short stints across various departments. He worked part-time at the Pawnee Police Department from August 2020 to July 2021 and had similarly brief engagements with the Kincaid Police Department and the Virden Police Department. In 2021 alone, Grayson moved between three different police departments, demonstrating a lack of stability in his professional life. His longest period of employment was with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked from May 2023 until his termination in July 2024, following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. The reasons for his departures from these roles are varied, with some listed as “resigned” and others as “other,” contributing to the ambiguity surrounding his professional capabilities and conduct.
The Charges He Now Face
Grayson’s actions during the incident with Sonya Massey have led to serious criminal charges. He faces three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. These charges stem from his use of deadly force against Massey, who was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Each charge is based on specific aspects of the incident, as captured on body camera footage and described in legal documents, highlighting the legal and ethical violations alleged against Grayson.
According to the Illinois State Police review, Grayson’s decision to use his firearm was not justified, as the situation did not warrant such a lethal response. This has led to widespread condemnation from civil rights advocates, the public, and political figures, all of whom are calling for accountability and justice for Massey’s death.
First Degree Murder
This charge is based on the prosecution’s argument that Grayson intentionally used deadly force against Massey without justification. First-degree murder in Illinois requires proof of intent to kill or cause great bodily harm, or knowledge that the actions were likely to result in death.
In this case, the prosecution contends that Grayson’s decision to shoot Massey in the head, after allegedly issuing threatening statements and ignoring opportunities for de-escalation, demonstrates a reckless disregard for her life. The prosecution emphasizes that Grayson had several alternatives and that his actions were not provoked by any immediate threat, as Massey was unarmed and reportedly attempting to comply when shot.
Aggravated Battery with A Firearm
The second charge, aggravated battery with a firearm, is based on Grayson’s use of his service weapon to inflict harm. An aggravated battery with a firearm involves intentionally discharging a weapon and causing injury to another person.
The charge is justified by the fact that Grayson shot Massey three times, with one bullet fatally striking her in the head. The prosecution argues that Grayson’s use of the firearm was not only excessive but also unnecessary, given the context of the situation, where Massey was not posing a credible threat to the officers.
Official Misconduct
The third charge, official misconduct, pertains to the abuse of Grayson’s position as a law enforcement officer. This charge involves the unauthorized and inappropriate actions taken by Grayson while performing his duties, which violate the expectations and standards of his role.
The charge reflects Grayson’s alleged failure to follow proper protocol, as seen in the footage where he drew his weapon and fired without clear justification, and his subsequent discouragement of his partner from rendering aid to Massey. Prosecutors argue that these actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the ethical responsibilities of his position and a failure to act in accordance with his training.
He Pleads Not Guilty
Former deputy Sean Grayson has pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in connection with the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, in her home in Springfield, Illinois. His actions during the encounter with Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler, have been heavily scrutinized, leading to his indictment on multiple serious charges.
If Convicted
If convicted, Grayson faces severe consequences. The charge of first-degree murder carries a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Additionally, the charge of aggravated battery with a firearm could result in a sentence of six to 30 years, while the charge of official misconduct could add an additional two to five years. These potential penalties underscore the gravity of the allegations against Grayson and the impact of his actions on the Massey family and the community.
Grayson’s defense has not commented extensively on the case, and he remains held without bond in the Menard County Jail. The case highlights broader issues of police conduct, particularly regarding interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
The Aftermath of The Killing
The aftermath of Massey’s killing has been marked by widespread protests and calls for justice. Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, known for representing other victims of police violence, has taken on the case. The case remains under investigation, with the Justice Department involved, and serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding police violence and racial inequality in the United States.
Massey’s family has been vocal in their criticism of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, questioning the decision to hire Grayson despite his previous DUI convictions and discharge from the military.
Massey’s family describes her as a loving and caring person who, despite struggling with mental health challenges, remained deeply religious. During the confrontation with Grayson, she exclaimed, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Her family interprets this statement as a reflection of both her faith and her distress at that moment.
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FAQs on Sean Grayson’s Charges
Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
The first-degree murder charge is based on the prosecution’s argument that Grayson intentionally used deadly force against Massey without justification.
Grayson is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm because he used his service weapon to inflict harm, which resulted in Massey’s death.
The official misconduct charge pertains to Grayson’s unauthorized and inappropriate actions while performing his duties, which violated the standards of his role.
If convicted, Grayson faces 45 years to life for first-degree murder, six to 30 years for aggravated battery with a firearm, and two to five years for official misconduct.
Hey there! My name is Olivia Ramirez, I graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s of science in Psychology. I can’t help but scour the web for crime news and interesting stories. I write mostly true crime, anything from white collar crimes to the tragic murders across America. I try to mix in local news updates with big hitting scandals.
When I’m not typing away or searching for crime news, you’ll find me in bookstores looking for the new books to add to my backlog. Hanging out with my family or just relaxing with some cozy games to unwind from the day.
