By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – The July 6 shooting death by police of a 36-year-old Springfield woman has been ruled not justified. Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is jailed on a five-count murder indictment and has been fired from his job.
“Those of us who have been born and raised in Springfield know that this is a racist area,” said Rena Douglas at a rally that took place while loved ones of Sonya Massey viewed body cam video. “We call it Hangman County. Enough. Is. Enough.”
Deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call about a possible prowler early July 6. An hour later, Massey was dead. Massey’s family has retained civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump. Her funeral is Friday.
“A review of the Illinois State Police investigation,” said a statement from Sangamon County state’s attorney John Milhiser, “including the body-worn camera footage, does not support a finding that Deputy Sean Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force.”
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell issued the following statement:
“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. Therefore, Sean Grayson’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office has been terminated.
“The actions taken by Deputy Grayson do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole. Good law enforcement officers stand with our community in condemning actions that undermine the trust and safety we strive to uphold. In times like these, it is crucial for leadership across all sides and spectrums to come together to heal our community.”
Gov. JB Pritzker issued the following statement:
“Sonya Massey was concerned for her safety and called law enforcement to her home for protection. Like all Illinoisans, she deserved that protection. Instead, innocent and unarmed, she was gunned down by an officer of the law. My heart breaks for Sonya’s children, for her family and friends and for all who knew and loved her, and I am enraged that another innocent black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer. I’m grateful to the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office for bringing the appropriate charges in this case. May Sonya Massey’s memory be a blessing, and may it fuel our work to build a system of justice in this country that truly protects all of its citizens.”
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
