Springfield, IL (XMN News) – The shooting of Sonya Massey by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy has reignited debate over police accountability and the need for a federal watchdog. Massey’s family held a visitation and funeral service on Friday, two days after a grand jury indicted the now-former deputy, Sean P. Grayson, on charges of first-degree murder.
The services, held at Ruby Funeral Services and Chapel, were attended by a standing-room crowd of family and friends, many wearing purple in honor of Massey. The 36-year-old was remembered as a loving mother, devout in her faith, and a great cook.
“She was about her kids, her family, and she was about God,” said Raymond Massey, Sonya’s uncle, during a press conference at the Springfield NAACP headquarters.
The shooting occurred on July 6, 2024, inside Massey’s home in Woodside Township. Court documents revealed Grayson, 30, drew his 9mm handgun and threatened to shoot Massey in the face before firing three shots, one of which struck her in the head. Grayson was subsequently fired by Sheriff Jack Campbell, who stated that his actions “do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole.”
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the Massey family, stated that body camera footage of the incident, set to be released on Monday, will “shock the conscience of America.” Crump, known for his involvement in high-profile cases like those of Emmett Till and George Floyd, emphasized the footage’s disturbing nature.
The footage will show Grayson aggressively yelling at Massey to put down a pot of boiling water before shooting her. It also reportedly captures Grayson instructing a fellow deputy not to administer aid to Massey, who later died at HSHS St. John’s Hospital.
In the wake of the shooting, Springfield has seen peaceful protests and increased calls for systemic police reform. Springfield NAACP President Austin Randolph, Jr. urged the community to remain calm and focused ahead of the footage release, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations and justice.
Massey’s death has prompted scrutiny of Grayson’s hiring, given his previous DUI charges. James Wilburn, Massey’s father, questioned why Grayson was hired despite these red flags. “If a Black man has a blemish on his credit because he paid his credit card too late, or his house bill too late, you know he can’t be hired as a member of law enforcement,” Wilburn said. “But here’s a man, who killed my baby, he had two DUIs… yet they still made him a deputy in this county.”
Governor JB Pritzker suggested that a review of police training might be necessary, acknowledging calls from law enforcement leaders for more resources and training.
As the nation awaits the public release of the body camera footage, the case underscores the urgent need for greater oversight and accountability in law enforcement. The shocking nature of Massey’s death has intensified calls for a federal watchdog to prevent such tragedies and ensure justice is served.
