Illinois deputy charged in fatal shooting of woman who reported intruder

An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been charged with multiple counts in connection with the shooting death of Sonya Massey. The Springfield woman had called authorities to report a possible intruder.

Deputy Sean Grayson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and abuse of office, according to a statement from Sangamon County District Attorney John Milhiser.

Grayson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday and was denied bail.

The deputy was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department this week, according to a statement from Sheriff Jack Campbell posted on the agency’s Facebook page Wednesday.

“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or according to our standards,” Campbell’s statement said. “The actions taken by Deputy Grayson do not reflect the values ​​and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole.”

Two sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in Springfield, Illinois, around 12:50 a.m. on July 6 to investigate a possible burglary, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office obtained by ABC News.

“At approximately 1:21 a.m., officers reported shots fired, with a woman struck by gunfire,” the sheriff’s statement said. “Officers immediately administered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The woman was transported to St. John’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. None of the officers were injured in the incident.”

The shooting was investigated by the Illinois State Police (ISP) for use of deadly force at the request of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. According to Milhiser, a review of the investigation and body-worn camera footage determined that Grayson’s use of deadly force was not justified.

According to charging documents filed in Sangamon County District Court, Grayson shot Massey in the face after the deputy “aggressively yelled” at her to put down a pot of boiling water. Grayson then allegedly stopped his partner from getting a first aid kit to help Massey, prosecutors said.

The other deputy rendered aid anyway and stayed with Massey until paramedics arrived, charging documents say. Grayson did not attempt to render aid, according to the documents.

Grayson did not activate his body-worn camera until after the shooting, the indictment says. The other deputy did not activate his camera until after he arrived at the scene, the indictment says.

The Sangamon County District Attorney’s Office has not yet released bodycam footage of the incident, but is expected to do so by Monday, July 22.

Massey’s family attorney, Ben Crump, called the news of Grayson’s indictment a step forward toward justice for Sonya’s loved ones.

“While nothing can undo this officer’s heinous actions, we hope the scales of justice will continue to hold him accountable, and we will demand transparency at every step,” Crump said in a opinion.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a statement saying Massey deserves the protection she wants from law enforcement.

“My heart breaks for Sonya’s children, for her family and friends, and for all who knew and loved her, and I am angry that another innocent black woman’s life was taken at the hands of a police officer,” Pritzker’s statement said.

An attorney for Grayson did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

ABC News’ Emily Chang and Tesfaye Negussie contributed to this report.