Statement on the Sonya Massey Killing

Once again, our country must reckon with the violent death of a person of color at the hands of the police.

Sonya Massey, a black woman, had called the police after suspecting a prowler outside her home. Two white Sangamon County Sherriff Deputies responded and one of those deputies, Sean Grayson, shot and killed Ms. Massey.

Grayson then reported her death as self-inflicted to dispatchers, causing her family to be misled on the cause of her death when they arrived at the hospital. Grayson has now been indicted for misconduct, aggravated battery with a firearm, and first-degree murder. He is being held without bail.

The bodycam footage that contradicted Grayson’s initial account of events showed the other responding deputy had a tattoo sleeve that appears to depict a Vegvisir surrounded by runes inside a wolf. The incident is still under investigation and no misconduct allegations have been levied against this deputy.

We do not know the faith of the deputy. However, seeing the Vegvisir, a symbol many of us have adopted to show our hope in a faith of peace and welcoming, in such a scene of violence and injustice is shocking and heartbreaking. Our shared values of justice and community demand of us to act against the injustice of a person of color killed by the very people she called for assistance.

We encourage everyone who shares these values, regardless of creed, to contact state and local lawmakers to insist on policing and criminal justice reform so that no more lives are needlessly lost. We are making a call for direct action, for members and non-members alike, to write your legislators. We have a fillable PDF in our Resources section to help you.

Sonya Massey posed no active threat to the deputies yet was killed while complying with aggressive demands from Deputy Sean Grayson, who had his weapon drawn. She was then denied aid at the direction of Grayson, and the police attempted to mislead her family about the circumstances of her death. None of these events reflect a safe and healthy community. Such a state cannot exist until any community member can feel safe in the presence of law enforcement.|

May Tyr bring justice to this situation and for Massey and her family.