Springfield, IL — A central Illinois coroner’s autopsy report revealed that 36-year-old Sonya Massey died from a gunshot wound to the head after being shot by a local deputy earlier in the month. The Sangamon County Coroner’s office detailed that the fatal bullet entered beneath her left eye and exited through the upper part of her neck, resulting in a skull fracture, perforation of her carotid artery, and severe brain bleeding. Additionally, Massey sustained minor blunt force injuries to her right leg.
Former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, who is white, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct following Massey’s death. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and remains in custody at the Sangamon County Jail pending trial. The sheriff’s office terminated Grayson’s employment subsequent to the incident.
The tragedy continues to grip Massey’s family, who publicly shared their emotional and mental anguish nearly three weeks following her death. Her son, Malachi Hill-Massey, expressed profound suffering, noting his struggle to find rest except when sleeping on the floor, a stark deviation from the comfort of his bed.
Massey’s daughter, haunted by nightmares, adds another layer of distress to the family’s grief, as articulated by her uncle, Raymond. He expressed a deep anger over the pain his family continues to endure.
In response to the events and following the release of the autopsy results, Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to the Massey family to offer condolences and support, as confirmed by an advisor to the Vice President.
Deputy Grayson’s professional history includes previous service with six law enforcement agencies since 2020 and a military discharge for serious misconduct. Additionally, past records from Logan County Sheriff’s office revealed reprimands against Grayson for falsifying police reports and two prior DUI convictions. These earlier incidents have led many, including family attorney Benjamin Crump, to question the justification for Grayson’s employment in law enforcement given such “red flags.”
Crump also highlighted Massey’s recent mental health struggles, emphasizing that her situation required compassion and assistance rather than the lethal force that was used.
Further controversy surrounds the events leading to Massey’s death, which occurred after she called 911 to report a suspected prowler outside her Springfield home. Bodycam footage from the incident shows a tense interaction escalating quickly inside her home, resulting in Grayson shooting Massey after a heated exchange over a kitchen pot.
The public release of the bodycam footage was pivotal, according to Massey’s family, who assert that it countered initial misleading claims by the police about the circumstances of the shooting. The video contradicted earlier suggestions by the police that a neighboring dispute could have led to the shooting, or that Massey herself might have been responsible.
As the community reacts, small yet fervent protests have emerged, with one such gathering occurring in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. Protesters there and across other Illinois locations are not only calling for justice for Massey but also raising their voices against other incidents of police violence in the state.
Looking ahead, additional rallies are scheduled in Chicago, signaling ongoing and growing community unrest. The Massey family, supported by their attorney, plans to participate in these demonstrations, seeking accountability and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.