Sonya Massey, Black woman shot by Illinois police officer, dies of gunshot wound to head: autopsy – NBC Chicago

Autopsy findings were released Friday for Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old black woman who was fatally shot in her Illinois home by a now-fired sheriff’s deputy charged in her death. The findings confirm she died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon had previously released preliminary findings into Massey’s July 6 death in Springfield. The full autopsy report released Friday confirmed those findings, including the conclusion that her death was a homicide.

The report shows that in addition to the bullet that struck her just below her left eye, Massey also suffered “minor blunt force injuries” to her right leg and that she weighed 112 pounds.

The autopsy findings were released shortly before civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Massey’s family, was scheduled to hold a news conference in Springfield. A rally in Chicago was planned for Friday afternoon in support of Massey, a news release said.

Now-fired sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct in Massey’s killing. He was fired last week by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Massey had called 911 to report a suspected burglar. Two officers eventually arrived at her home in Springfield, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

The sheriff’s body camera video released Monday corroborated prosecutors’ earlier account of a tense moment in which Grayson shouted over a counter at Massey to put down a pot of hot water. He then threatened to shoot the unarmed woman, Massey ducked and stood up briefly, and Grayson fired his gun at her. Massey was shot three times, including a fatal shot to the head.

Documents show that Grayson briefly worked part-time at three small police departments and full-time at a fourth department. He also worked full-time at two sheriff’s offices, all in central Illinois.

James Wilburn, Massey’s father, called for the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell.

“I want to tell you that the sheriff here is a disgrace,” Wilburn said. “This man (Grayson) should never have had a badge. And he should never have had a gun. He should never have had the opportunity to kill my child.”