Sonya Massey’s household is in line to obtain $10 million in a settlement with downstate Sangamon County after a sheriff’s deputy fatally shot her final summer time, in accordance with a proposed county board decision.
The settlement is about for a vote by the county board at its month-to-month assembly Tuesday. Massey’s household agreed to not file a civil lawsuit as a part of the settlement.
Massey, 36, had referred to as legislation enforcement to her Springfield house July 6 to report a attainable intruder. Then-Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shot her within the head, saying he feared Massey would throw a boiling pot of water at him.
Physique digital camera footage of the taking pictures exhibits Massey ducking for canopy behind a kitchen counter along with her palms raised earlier than Grayson fired at her.
Massey, who was unarmed, died an hour later of a gunshot wound just below her left eye.
On this picture taken from physique digital camera video launched by Illinois State Police on Monday, July 22, 2024, former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, left, factors his gun at Sonya Massey, who referred to as 911 for assist, earlier than taking pictures and killing her inside her house in Springfield, Ailing., July 6, 2024. (Illinois State Police by way of AP)
Grayson, 30, was fired after he was charged with first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Information present he stays jailed in Macon County, and his subsequent courtroom date is March 24.
“It’s the opinion of each the Sangamon County State’s Legal professional’s Workplace and personal counsel representing Sangamon County that approving the mediated settlement settlement is in one of the best pursuits of Sangamon County,” the proposed decision states.
Final month, Sangamon County, its sheriff’s workplace and dispatch system agreed with the U.S. Division of Justice to resolve an investigation into the taking pictures. The DOJ concluded it discovered no proof that the county discriminated in offering providers, and the county didn’t admit any legal responsibility.
The DOJ settlement states the sheriff’s workplace will proceed to work with a Springfield behavioral well being middle to supply disaster providers and ship groups to psychological well being calls with police, amongst different reforms.
Sangamon County has additionally established the Massey Fee, which is made up of native residents and goals to deal with racial inequities in policing.
