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Illinois Deputy Charged with Homicide in Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey in Head

Jul 26, 2024, 04:37 PM

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her Illinois home by Deputy Sean Grayson while responding to her 911 call about a suspected intruder. The autopsy confirmed that Massey died from a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet entering just under her left eye. The Sangamon County coroner ruled her death a homicide. The deputy involved had a troubled employment history, having worked for six police departments in the past four years and being discharged from the U.S. Army for serious misconduct in 2016. Illinois prosecutors are seeking first-degree murder charges against Grayson. The incident has sparked accusations of racism and prompted a justice rally in Washington Square Park. Bodycam footage and audio recordings reveal that the officers initially reported the shooting as self-inflicted. Massey's family is questioning how Grayson was hired despite his problematic background.