An Illinois sheriff's deputy is facing murder charges after he shot Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman in the face amid a confrontation over a pot of water in her residence and then discouraged his partner from trying to save her, The Associated Press reports. Massey was killed at her home after deputies responded to her 911 call about a possible prowler early on July 6. According to prosecutors, Sagamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, allowed Massey to move a pot of water that she was heating on the stove. But when she set it on a counter, Grayson “aggressively yelled” at Massey over the pot and pulled his 9 mm pistol, pointed at her face. Massey then put her hands in the air, declared “I’m sorry” and ducked for cover, but she was shot in the face.
Afterward, Grayson, who is white, discouraged the other deputy from getting his medical kit, prosecutors say. After hearing details of the incident, County Circuit Judge Ryan M. Cadagin denied Grayson pretrial release at a hearing in Springfield. Grayson, who has been with the sheriff's department for about 18 years, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Thursday.