The Guardian acquired police audio containing a statement from someone present at the scene, potentially a deputy, indicating that Massey’s injury was “self-inflicted.” During a press conference, the family mentioned that authorities had initially informed them that she had either died by suicide or was murdered by an intruder.

The deputies were seen engaging in a casual conversation with Massey in the body camera footage at first. Nevertheless, the encounter took a fatal turn when Grayson instructed Massey to put down a pot of hot water and proceeded to shoot her in the face. Prosecutors argue that Massey was not a danger to the deputy..

Sonya Massey Biography Details

Abut Sonya Massey Biography

Sonya Massey, an African American woman, was fatally shot by a police officer in her residence on July 6, 2024. Despite her call to 911 reporting a possible break-in, deputies Sean Grayson and his partner found no evidence of intrusion upon their arrival. The interaction shifted when they questioned Massey about her driver’s license and a vehicle outside her home, leading to a confrontation that ended with her being shot three times. Subsequently, the deputy was terminated from his position and faced charges including First-degree murder, Aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.

Deaths, Time, Location

Did You Know?

• After the deputy shot Sonya, the unidentified deputy called in the shooting and reported that a black woman was found with a headshot wound.
• She was later pronounced dead at St John’s Hospital in Springfield.
• The body-cam footage of the incident was released on July 22.

‘How do you get that confused?’

Jimmie Crawford Jr, Massey’s ex-partner and the father of one of her children, stated that they attempted to convince him that a neighbor was responsible. He also mentioned that hospital staff were informed by the authorities that Massey had committed suicide, causing confusion.

“They indicated that an investigation was ongoing, then informed the hospital physicians that she had taken her own life—and later corrected themselves,” emphasized Donna Massey, underscoring the need for a thorough inquiry. “We will definitely achieve justice. I am certain. Absolutely,” she further commented. Donna is scheduled to have a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and has previously met with Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois. President Joe Biden has offered his sympathies and conveyed his outrage.

The family mentioned that law enforcement categorized Massey’s death as a police killing following a doctor’s statement that it was a homicide. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the victim’s family, stated that the US Department of Justice has initiated an investigation. The Department of Justice informed The Guardian that it is evaluating the situation regarding Ms. Sonya Massey’s death involving an officer and expressed sympathy to her family. The department will monitor the criminal case initiated by the Sangamon county state’s attorney.

Sonya Massey’s son breaks silence

The 17-year-old son of Massey has ended his silence a few days following the incident. Malachi Hill-Massey described the 36-year-old as a caring and intelligent mother who always prioritized others over herself. He expressed his deep affection for her and her cooking, highlighting her loving nature. Malachi shared that he couldn’t bear to watch the shooting video and was at a loss for words. Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment and is currently held at the Menard County Detention Facility.

Sonya Massey Images