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Shot in the face. Sonya Massey called 9-1-1 over a suspected prowler, not imagining the police would take aim at her when she was in her own house. 

Illinois deputy Sean Grayson, who had a history of policing at five other police departments in 3 years, as well as allegations of misconduct in the military and other issues, was one of the officer’s who answered Massey’s call. 

Instead of easing her fears, he stoked them. He marched Sonya around her own home ordering her to remove a pot of what he thought was boiling water from her stove. When she scurried to do as he demanded and grabbed the pot, Grayson backed away as if she was the threat which seemingly surprised Massey. 

In light of his barely veiled accusation, the 36-year-old woman told him she “rebuked him in the name of Jesus,” and Grayson immediately pulled is gun.  

Even though she was down on her knees apologizing, and never made a move to throw the pot of water, Grayson shot her in the face and the head over and over, and then told the other officer with him, “no need to help, it’s a head shot.”

Now the hot-headed deputy is in hot water himself, charged with Sonya’s murder. 

Join us for the latest episode of the Gulf Coast Confidential podcast, “Shot in the face: Deputy Sean Grayson in hot water now for killing Sonya Massey, woman who called for help.”

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