Official announcements from Springfield Police Department

Police Officer Charged with Murder of Sonya Massey, Shot in Face, Denied Bail

Jul 24, 2024, 07:00 AM

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in the face by police officer Sean Grayson in her home in Springfield, Illinois, after she called 911 to report a suspected prowler on July 6. Grayson, who is white, shot Massey three times and called her a 'b*tch' after the shooting. He has been denied bail and charged with first-degree murder. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for police reform. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have both condemned the shooting, with Harris labeling it a 'senseless murder' and Biden emphasizing the need for justice. The Department of Justice has announced an investigation into the incident. Massey's family has accused the police of attempting a cover-up, citing initial reports that misled them about the circumstances of her death. Body-cam footage of the shooting has been released, showing the moments leading up to Massey's death. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey's family, has described the shooting as 'senseless' and 'tragic beyond proportions.' Massey's father, James Wilburn, has expressed his heartbreak over the loss of his daughter and criticized the police's handling of the situation.