Former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with murder after fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home. Grayson claims he fired his gun because he feared Massey would throw boiling liquid at him, causing great bodily harm or death. Body camera footage shows Grayson and Massey talking in her kitchen before the shooting, with Massey repeatedly saying “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson believed this meant she was going to kill him. He gave her verbal commands to drop the pot before firing his weapon, causing Massey to fall behind a counter.
Grayson pleaded not guilty in court and remains in custody, while also being fired from the sheriff’s office. The shooting has sparked demonstrations and calls for police reform. Other sheriff’s deputies who responded to the scene reported that Grayson appeared shaken, and they advised him not to speak about the incident. Witnesses described previous instances of erratic behavior by Massey, including breaking windows in her car during a mental breakdown.
The newly released report also includes accounts from other deputies and witnesses at the scene, detailing the events leading up to the shooting. Massey’s actions and history of erratic behavior are described, along with Grayson’s response to the situation. The case has brought attention to issues of police use of force and the need for better training and protocols in handling mental health crises.
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