Red Flags In Past Of Cop Who Shot Sonya Massey

Sean Grayson had sufficient infractions in his navy and police power information to boost pink flags. Nonetheless, he received and saved his badge beneath a number of departments. Now, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black lady believed to be experiencing psychological well being experiences, is useless.

The previous Illinois deputy fatally shot Massey within the face inside her dwelling after she known as 911 on July 6. Whereas her household grieves, Grayson is in jail awaiting trial for first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Grayson, who’s white, has pleaded not responsible.

RELATED: Sheriff Of Illinois Deputy Who Shot Sonya Massey Breaks Silence

Right here’s a breakdown of the pink flags specialists say his employers ought to’ve waved.

 Sean P. Grayson Busted For DUI Twice In One 12 months

In accordance with the Associated Press, Grayson received the Military’s boot for the primary of two drunken driving convictions by which he had a weapon in his automotive. Earlier than turning into a cop, he was convicted twice inside a 12 months of driving beneath the affect.

Grayson enlisted within the Military in 2014. Prosecutors charged him with DUI in Macoupin County, simply south of Sangamon County, after visitors stops on Aug. 10, 2015, and once more on July 26, 2016.

The primary DUI led to his discharge from the navy in February 2016 for “severe misconduct,” in line with a U.S. official who spoke to AP Information on situation of anonymity to debate personnel data. The supply added that Grayson had an unregistered gun in his automobile. Grayson didn’t face a weapons cost as a result of he was a resident of Fort Riley, Kansas. Kansas has an open-carry firearms legislation.

Grayson acquired a common discharge beneath honorable situations somewhat than an honorable discharge as a result of he was charged by a civilian legislation enforcement company, and his navy service was in any other case good.

Sean Smoot, chairman of the Illinois Regulation Enforcement Coaching and Requirements Board, mentioned {that a} misdemeanor DUI cost doesn’t by legislation preclude somebody from serving in legislation enforcement. Nevertheless, a hiring company can actually think about it.

“Some police departments wouldn’t have employed somebody with one DUI,” Smoot mentioned. “I’m shocked an company would rent somebody with two DUIs, however a number of companies apparently did.”

Sean Grayson’s former Sheriff Jack Campbell of Sangamon County mentioned Grayson received the approval stamp from the county benefit fee and state legislation enforcement board. DUIs apart, he handed a drug check, legal background examine, psychological analysis, and 16-week academy course.

His Former Company Stated He Wanted Extra Coaching In “Excessive-Stress Determination-Making” 

Earlier than he got here to his final policing job at Springfield, Grayson labored for a 12 months as a deputy sheriff in Logan County, simply to the northeast. In accordance with a report obtained beneath a public information request, in November 2022, he was informed he wanted extra coaching, together with “high-stress decision-making lessons.” On the time, he didn’t observe an order to halt a high-speed pursuit, reaching speeds of 110 mph (177 kph) earlier than colliding with a deer.

Sean Grayson Had Misconduct Complaints At Logan County Workplace

The Logan County information additionally embody complaints of misconduct from two folks Grayson arrested. A lady reported Grayson after he gave her a glove and informed her to take away the contraband in entrance of him and one other male officer. She had admitted to having medicine in a physique cavity.

She later was taken to a hospital to have it eliminated and claimed Grayson burst via the curtain through the process. He denied each complaints and resigned from Logan County earlier than the investigation was full.

One other Company Had Issues About His “Bragging”

To be clear, Sean Grayson has had six policing jobs in 4 years. An employment report from his former company, Auburn, south of Springfield, praises his wins. Grayson was reportedly all the time early for work, looking forward to coaching, receptive to criticism, and had not confronted disciplinary motion.

Nevertheless, he struggled with report writing, was “not nice with proof — left objects mendacity across the workplace,” and was “a bragger.”

Sonya Massey & Her Mom’s 911 Calls On The Day She Died

Sonya Massey died in her dwelling about 200 miles south of Chicago after deputies responded to her 911 name a few potential prowler early on July 6.

Prosecutors alleged that after Grayson allowed Massey to maneuver a pot of water heating on the range and he or she set it on a counter, Grayson then “aggressively yelled” at Massey over the pot and pulled his 9 mm pistol.

Massey then put her fingers within the air, mentioned, “I’m sorry,” and ducked for canopy. However  Grayson nonetheless managed to shoot her within the face. The officer additionally discouraged the opposite deputy from getting his medical package.

Most lately, the cellphone calls Sonya and her mom made to 911 on the day of her demise had been launched.

RELATED: Details Are Revealed About The Calls Sonya Massey & Her Mom Made To Illinois Police In The Hours Before Her Death (LISTEN)

Related Press employees John O’Connor, Lolita Baldor, Melissa Perez Winder, and Ed White contributed to this report.