A former sheriff’s deputy charged with the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday. The deputy faced more severe charge of first-degree murder, but the jury had the option to convict on a lesser charge.
Massey’s case gained national media attention and reignited calls for reform to policing throughout the country, particularly law enforcement’s response to mental health crises. Her killing happened a week before the nine-year anniversary of Sandra Bland’s death, which elevated the #SayHerName movement’s push to raise awareness about Black women victims of police brutality.
On July 6, 2024, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shot 36-year-old Massey while she was standing in the kitchen of her Springfield, Illinois, home without a weapon. Massey called 911 in the early morning hours because she was concerned about a potential intruder outside her home. Police-worn body camera footage show two deputies interacting with Massey while she boiled a pot of water on her stove.
Tension escalated after Massey said to the deputies, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
One yelled: “You better fucking not, I swear to God. I’ll fucking shoot you right in your fucking face.” Both deputies then drew their guns and demanded that Massey drop the pot of water. Though Massey attempted to duck out of the way, Grayson shot her three times, including in the face.
During the trial, Grayson’s partner who was present at the scene testified that he did not view Massey as a threat.
“She never did anything that made me think she was a threat,” said sheriff’s deputy Dawson Farley, according to reporting by ABC News.
“It was essentially the defendant’s actions that raised my sense of awareness,” Farley said.
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