Illinois deputy charged with murder in fatal shooting of woman who called 911

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with murder in the death of a woman in her home.

Sonya Massey was killed after Sangamon County deputies responded to her 911 call early in the morning on July 6, District Attorney John Milhiser said.

A statement from Milhiser did not describe the circumstances leading up to the shooting at Massey’s home in Springfield, 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago. But he said a review of body camera video did not support the use of deadly force.

Deputy Sean Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and government misconduct, Milhiser said Wednesday.

Grayson remained in custody Thursday awaiting a court appearance. It was unclear whether he had an attorney. Calls to Milhiser’s office and the public defender’s office went unanswered Thursday morning.

Sheriff Jack Campbell said Grayson has been fired.

“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. … With our badge we accept a tremendous responsibility, and when that responsibility is abused, there must be consequences,” Campbell said.

On Wednesday, about 200 people gathered at the NAACP building in Springfield to show their support for Massey, who is Black, and her family.

“I am outraged that yet another innocent black woman has been taken by a police officer,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said after the charges were filed.