Death by Cop- 2024
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Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey
Case # :514
Gender : Female
Age : 36
Race : Black
Date : 07/07/2024
Location : 2800 block of Hoover Avenue
City : Springfield
County : Sangamon
State : Illinois
Agency : Sangamon County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) :Sean Grayson
Cause of death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during “prowler” call
Open records summary :
Springfield PD arrived at the home of Sandra Massey in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue following a 911 call reporting an intruder. Police arrived, shot her in the head and killed her in her home. Details are not released so far. Illinois State Police have refused to release the bodycam footage and are also not releasing the names of the shooter officers. Massey’s family has retained Ben Crump’s office on her behalf.
Officer Sean Grayson, the shooter, was fired and indicted for her murder when John Milhiser, the Sangamon US Attorney found the shooting to be unjustified.
Update: 07/18/2024: Officer Grayson ordered held without bond. Judge Ryan M. Cadagin denied Grayson pretrial release at a hearing on 07/18/2024 in Springfield. Judge Cadagin described the role of Deputy Grayson in the killing as “such a departure from the expectations of a civil society.” Deputy Grayson had shot Sonya Massey in the face. The deputy had apparently ordered her to move a pot of water, shot her in the face and then discouraged his partner from saving her life once shot.
Much detailed information as well as the bodycam are in the Source Links below.
Source links :
Grayson got his job by referral from his future father-in-law
https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/deputy-who-killed-sonya-massey-had-job-reference-from-fiances-dad-a-longtime-sheriffs-deputy/
Much detailed information of past employment issues of Sean Grayson and his audio-recorded responses during lengthy disciplinary hearings by past LEO employer:
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/graysons-behavior-in-logan-county-led-superior-to-ask-how-are-you-still-employed-with-us
Full bodycam video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSN0cqzl__4
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/illinois-woman-dies-being-shot-215851249.html
Protests:
Ben Crump is hired:
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/attorney-ben-crump-retained-by-family-of-sonya-massey
Deputy Grayson is fired and indicted for murder:
https://fox2now.com/news/illinois/deputy-indicted-for-murder-of-sonya-massey-fired-by-sangamon-co-sheriff/
Deputy Grayson held without bail, judge very openly critical:
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2024-07-18/illinois-sheriffs-deputy-charged-with-murder-in-fatal-shooting-of-woman-who-called-911
