(NewsNation) — A 36-year-old Black woman, Sonya Massey, was shot dead by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy in early July after calling the police to her house for reports of a “prowler.” 

Sean Grayson, a sheriff’s deputy for Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office in Springfield, Illinois, shot Massey in the early hours of July 6, soon after he and another deputy came to her home in response to the call.

Prosecutors said in court that while Grayson was in her home, he asked Massey to move a pot of hot water on her stove to prevent an accidental fire. When she did, Grayson drew his weapon on her, threatening to shoot her unless she put the pot down.

Grayson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. 

Who is Sonya Massey?

Sonya Massey, a mother of two, was born in 1988 in San Diego to Donna Massey and James Wilburn. She had three sisters, a son, Malachi, and a daughter, Jeanette. 

In a news conference with Massey’s family, famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump said that Massey suffered from mental health issues and when she was killed, what she had needed was a “helping hand.”

At a news conference, Massey’s son called her a “ball of energy,” and said she could talk to anybody.

What happened to Sonya Massey?

Massey was killed on July 6 by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. 

Despite Massey behaving erratically, the conversation between her and the officers was civil until Grayson’s partner moved further away as Massey took a pot of water off the stove.

According to body camera footage, Grayson had explained why his partner had moved back, she replied, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” while holding the pot. When asked what she had said, Massey repeated it before Grayson said, “You better f—ing not, I swear to god, I will shoot you in your f—ing face.”

The video below is graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.

Grayson pulled a gun from his holster and demanded she drop the pot while pointing the gun at her. 

The body camera footage has an obstructed view, but the pot of water hit the ground very close to when shots had been fired. 

Grayson then advised his partner not to grab the medical kit to help her.

“You can go get it, but that’s a headshot,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do, man.”

Investigation into Massey’s death

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said he did not find Grayson’s use of deadly force “justified.” Grayson is currently in custody and has been fired. 

Both the Illinois State Police and Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office have addressed transparency concerns with public information, and have since released the body camera footage.

Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement that Massey lost her life because of a “reckless” decision and expressed sympathy for Massey’s family. 

The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed it is “assessing the circumstances” surrounding Massey’s death.

According to the Illinois Law Enforcement and Standards Board, Grayson worked at six law enforcement agencies in four years after being charged on multiple occasions for driving under the influence. , Grayson had worked at six law enforcement agencies in four years after being charged twice for driving under the influence. At a news conference, Massey’s family called for an investigation into why the Sangamon County Sherrif’s Office hired him.

What is Sonya Massey’s family saying?

Massey’s father told CBS Mornings that the family was misled as to how events which unfolded.

“We were under the impression that she was killed by the intruder, or some other person from the street, and they just went in there and found her dead body,” James Wilburn said.

“It’s probably the most horrible, heart-wrenching thing that we’ve ever seen in our lives, but if it were not for the bodycam footage, we would not have known that this occurred.”

Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, and her son, Malachi Hill Massey, 17, told CBS Evening News that Massey would be still alive if she weren’t black.

“Yeah, he would have definitely been more cautious. He wouldn’t have did that,” Malachi said of Grayson.

“He wouldn’t have did it at all,” Donna Massey added of Grayson.

State and social media response

Following Massey’s death, multiple protests have gathered demanding the release of more information. 

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statement expressing his sympathy for Massey’s family and his gratitude that the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office had brought forth the “appropriate charges” against Grayson in this case. 

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also issued statements about Massey’s killing saying that she deserved justice and she deserved to be safe. 

Social media users have been using the hashtag “#SayHerName” in reference to Massey’s killing, a hashtag often used to highlight the stories of Black women who have been killed by police.

“I have nothing incisive or insightful to say about the murder of Sonya Massey,” one user said in a post on X. “My heart is w/her loved ones #SayHerName.”

Singer Solange Knowles also took to X to post her condolences for Massey and her family.

“Rest in power Sonya Massey, and an abundance of love and power to SOnya’s family on this journey,” the post read.