Autopsy shows: The bullet that killed Sonya Massey hit her near the eye

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Sonya Massey, the black woman shot and killed by a white deputy earlier this month, was killed by a bullet that struck below her left eye, an autopsy released Friday confirmed.

The harrowing details of the Massey case – a woman shot to death in her home by police officers she called for help – have sparked national outrage. The chaotic and at times gruesome bodycam video that was released earlier this week sparked calls for police reform and a federal investigation.

Massey, 36, was holding a pot of water in her Springfield, Illinois, home when Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean P. Grayson shot her while responding to her call about a possible intruder. Grayson is charged with Massey’s murder and has pleaded not guilty.

Family members said Friday that there was an encounter with police at their home the day before Massey was shot.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family during the Justice Department’s investigation, said at a news conference that Massey also drove himself to HSHS St. John’s Hospital to seek help, but returned home later that day.

“She needed a helping hand, not a bullet in the face,” Crump said.

Crump had previously said the case would “shock the conscience of America like the images of Emmett Till after his lynching.” The lynching of the 14-year-old in Mississippi in 1955 helped mobilize the civil rights movement.

Crump added that the video would provoke similar reactions to those of Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times in the back by police in Chicago in 2014, and George Floyd, who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer during an arrest in 2020.

“It’s so senseless, so unnecessary, so unjustified, so unconstitutional,” Crump said. “This video is tragic in every way.”

“She’s finished… this is a portrait photo”

According to court documents, Grayson did not activate his body-worn camera until the shooting, but the other deputy, whose name was not released, did not activate his camera until after he arrived at Massey’s home.

The video shows Grayson and the other deputy calmly talking outside Massey’s house after the two deputies search the area outside. The two enter the house and continue to talk to Massey, asking for her identification.

Grayson then noticed the pot of boiling water and told Massey to put it away to avoid a fire, according to the footage. Officers move away from her as she puts the pot away.

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“Get off your hot, steamy water,” Grayson says, laughing, before Massey replies, “Get off the hot, steamy water? Oh, I’ll rebuke you in Jesus’ name.”

“Huh?” says Grayson, as Massey repeats, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

“You better not do that or I swear to God I’ll shoot you in the fucking face,” the deputy replies before drawing his gun.

Massey ducks and says, “I’m sorry,” can be seen in the video. Both officers yell at her to drop the pot as three gunshots are heard in the video.

Grayson is then heard calling for emergency services and reporting a gunshot wound to the head. A few seconds later, the other deputy says, “I’m getting my equipment.”

“She’s done. You can get it, but that’s a headshot,” Grayson replies.

The deputy who shot Massey had already raised warning signals before

Crump said Friday he had been informed of two unsubstantiated allegations of Grayson’s excessive use of force. Both allegations, Crump said, predate Grayson’s employment in Springfield.

Grayson, 30, who was fired from the department, worked for five different departments before joining Sangamon County in May 2023.

SONYA MASSEY:The sheriff’s office knew about Sean Grayson’s DUI history. Were there any other warning signs?

Crump said he and his legal team also spoke with the U.S. Department of Justice about Grayson, and an investigation into the case was launched earlier this week.

Grayson’s history of driving under the influence was known, records show. He was charged with driving under the influence twice, including once while serving in the Army. His personnel file listed “misconduct (aggravated offense)” as the reason for his discharge from the Army in 2016.

Massey’s family did not know who shot her for 24 hours

Crump said Massey’s family did not learn until 24 hours after her death that the man who shot her was a deputy sheriff.

Massey’s 18-year-old son, Malachi Hill, learned all the details about his mother, “but (the police) never told him who it was,” Crump said.

Related Posts

Pueblo Chieftain subscription offers, special offers and discounts

Potentially strong storms will develop this afternoon and evening

Man shot in bizarre incident at Wingate baseball field | Enquirer Journal