Former Deputy Sean Grayson is an alleged killer from Illinois who has been charged with the murder of Sonya Massey
According to police reports Sean Grayson was employed as a Deputy at the Sangamon County Police Department when he was called to the home of Sonya Massey in Springfield Illinois.
Sonya Massey had called 911 to report that she believed there was a prowler outside of her home. Once inside of the home Deputy Sean Grayson would allow Massey to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove. The Deputy then became aggressive and pulled out his service weapon. Massey would put her hands up in the air and say she was sorry before Sean Grayson would fatally shoot her. Grayson then refused another Deputy to render aid to Ms Massey
After an investigation Sean Grayson would be arrested and charged with first degree murder. Grayson has also been fired from the Sangamon County police department
Sean Grayson News
n Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with murder in the death of a Black woman shot her in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home and then discouraged his partner from trying to save her, authorities said Thursday.
The details were in a court document filed in support of keeping fired Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson in custody without bond. County Circuit Judge Ryan M. Cadagin agreed, denying Grayson pretrial release at a hearing Thursday in Springfield.
In a courtroom guarded by a dozen sheriff’s deputies with three more patrolling the hall, Cadagin described the actions the former deputy is accused of as “such a departure from the expectations of a civil society.”
Sonya Massey, 36, was killed at her home in Illinois’ capital city, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago, after deputies responded to her 911 call about a possible prowler early on July 6.
Prosecutors alleged that after Grayson allowed Massey to move a pot of water heating on the stove and 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 hands in the air, declared “I’m sorry” and ducked for cover before being shot in the face. Grayson also discouraged the other deputy from getting his medical kit, prosecutors said.
“The other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical help arrived,” First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Rodgers wrote. Grayson “at no time attempted to render aid to Ms. Massey.”
The 30-year-old Grayson, who is white, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance Thursday.
More than 30 of Massey’s family members and their supporters filled the seats of the courtroom Thursday, several of whom declined to comment afterward.
No one argued with the state’s contention that body camera footage of the incident upheld the first requirement in ordering Grayson detained — that there is a strong presumption that the actions alleged in the indictment occurred. Authorities said they plan to release the body camera footage publicly Monday.
“At no point did this defendant show anything but callousness to human life,” Rodgers said.
Defense attorney Dan Fultz argued for Grayson’s release, contending the state’s arguments fell short on other arguments. Fultz said Grayson is not a threat to the community because was compliant and turned himself in within a half-hour after his arrest warrant was issued.
He said the Army veteran owns a home in Riverton, a community just east of Springfield, with his fiancee, whom he plans to marry this fall. His detention would pose a burden on the county, he said, because of Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosed last fall that requires special medical treatment.
Fultz asked for Grayson’s release on condition that weapons be removed from his home, that he undergo a mental health evaluation and the be put on around-the-clock electronic monitoring.
Cadagin decreed that Massey, weighing about 110 pounds (50 kilograms), posed no threat to the 6-foot-3 (190-centimeter), 228-pound (103-kilogram) Grayson, who was armed and accompanied by another deputy, and after shooting her refused to render aid.
Sheriff Jack Campbell said Wednesday that Grayson was fired because it is evident that the deputy “did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards. … With our badge we accept enormous responsibility, and if that responsibility is abused, there should be consequences.”
Ben Crump, an attorney for Massey’s family, said the charges were a “step toward justice for Sonya’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since they were notified of this tragedy.”
As many as 200 people gathered Wednesday at the Springfield NAACP building to express support for Massey and her family.
“I am enraged that another innocent Black woman had her life taken from her at the hands of a police officer,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said after the indictment.
Grayson is due back in court Aug. 26. He has been with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department about 18 months, Fultz said, after serving as an officer with several other police agencies in central Illinois for about seven years before that.
Christian Soto is an alleged killer from Rockford Illinois who went on a stabbing frenzy that left four people dead and several others injured
According to police reports Christian Soto would go on a twenty minute rampage in Rockford following a home invasion. During the frenzy Soto allegedly stabbed and killed a15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man. One person was also critically injured and four more were injured
Later reports released by the Rockford police is that not all of the victims were stabbed however they were not releasing anymore information
Christian Soto would be arrested and has been charged with four counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder with more charges pending
Christian Soto News
A man has been charged in connection with an attack that left four people dead, including one teenager, and seven others injured Wednesday afternoon in Rockford, Illinois. Police said some of the victims were stabbed.
Police on Thursday morning confirmed Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with multiple counts of murder/intent to kill and home invasion. He is expected in court on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
The brutal attack ripped through one neighborhood in a span of about 20 minutes. First, Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said there was a home invasion near the intersection of Florence Street and Eggleston Road.
A young woman trying to get away was stabbed in the face and hands and seriously wounded. A Good Samaritan who tried to help her also was stabbed.
The 911 calls for the stabbing victims came in one after the other as the attacker then went on a rampage in the area of Holmes Street, Winnetka Drive, and Cleveland Avenue in Rockford. Calls for police and paramedics were soon coming in at multiple scenes in Rockford and surrounding parts of Winnebago County.
Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said a total of four people were killed, one person was critically injured, and four other people were taken to hospitals, where their conditions were stabilized. Redd said not all of the victims were stabbed, but there were no gunshot victims.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office said two more people were hurt in its jurisdiction, WIFR TV reported.
The people who were killed were a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man.
“It’s just devastation for all of us,” said Rockford resident Ruth Gallagher. “It’s a blur. It’s just a nightmare.”
Gallagher said her longtime mailman was among the dead. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed a letter carrier was killed in the attack. Witnesses said the letter carrier might have been struck by a pickup truck during the violence.
“The mail carrier, he was the kindest person. He would help anybody; would step in and help, always friendly,” said Gallagher. “We will miss him.”
Police late Wednesday said they do not know the motive behind the attack.
Mayor Tom McNamara released the following statement:
"Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. We are working with community partners to provide support and services quickly and conveniently to those residents. We will announce those details soon.
"We have multiple jurisdictions working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. We will continue to provide updates."
Counseling services will be available Thursday at Flinn Middle School.
Authorities are investigating after four people were killed and five others were wounded in a stabbing spree in Rockford on Wednesday afternoon.
An adult male attacked and stabbed multiple individuals just after 1:10 p.m. in a residential area near Cleveland Avenue, Holmes Street and Eggleston Road, according to police.
A suspect is in custody in connection with the stabbings, who police say is a 22-year-old man.
Police said that officials are still working to notify families of those killed, and also acknowledged that the attack was a “multi-jurisdictional” event, with county law enforcement officials also involved in the response.
According to officials, four of the five surviving victims were last listed in stable condition, while the fifth was in critical condition.
Authorities said those killed include a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and a 22-year-old man.
Three of the four individuals killed in the attack were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth died at a local hospital, police said
Police said a motive and circumstances behind the attack are unclear, but they do not believe any other suspects were involved.
A 22-year-old man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in a frenzied stabbing and beating rampage that left four people dead in a matter of minutes in Rockford, Illinois, authorities said Thursday.
Christian Soto is also charged with seven counts of attempted murder and home invasion with a dangerous weapon following the attacks in Rockford on Wednesday. Seven people were injured.
Court and jail records show Soto appeared in court briefly Thursday afternoon and remains held without bond. He is next due in court Tuesday when a judge will determine if he stays in jail pending trial.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, who was clearly shaken and struggled to hold back tears during a news conference Thursday, listed the victims as 63-year-old Romona Schupbach; 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach; 49-year-old Jay Larson; and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb.
Three people remained hospitalized Thursday, officials said. The other four were treated and released, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said.
Authorities have released little information about Soto, who was arrested Wednesday. A woman who identified herself as Soto’s sister declined to comment to The Associated Press.
Redd said Soto acted alone and that police do not know his motive for the attacks.
She said Soto and Jacob Schupbach had grown up together. Soto told police that the two were smoking marijuana at Schupbach’s home before the attack, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley said.
“Soto said that he believes that drugs provided to him by Jacob were laced with an unknown narcotic,” Hanley said. “Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen … and proceeded to stab” his friend and his friend’s mother to death. Timeline of the attacks
Hanley provided details of the deadly attacks that quickly unfolded in a neighborhood of ranch-style homes soon after 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Redd said less than 20 minutes passed between the initial 911 call and Soto’s arrest.
Rockford police responded first to a home on Holmes Street, where they found the bodies of Jacob Schupbach and his mother, Romona.
Hanley said witnesses saw Jacob Schupbach being chased across the street, and that the attacker hit or stabbed him as he lay on the ground. They said the attacker then drove a pickup truck over Schupbach, who was able to make it inside the home. Witnesses said the attacker followed him but left soon after and drove away, Hanley said.
Hanley said officers next found Larson alive in a front yard on nearby Winnetka Drive, but he had been stabbed multiple times and died soon after in a hospital.
Ruth Mendonça, inspector-in-charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, told reporters that Larson had been a mail carrier in the area for 25 years.
A witness said he heard a commotion and saw a man beating Larson on the grass near his home, Hanley said. The witness dialed 911 as the attacker walked toward his locked front door. The attacker retrieved a knife from a black pickup and stabbed Larson before driving over him twice and running away.
Soto told police that he recalled “taking out the mailman,” Hanley said.
Around that time, police began receiving 911 calls about an attack on nearby Cleveland Avenue.
A woman and her adult son and daughter told officers that a man armed with a knife forced his way into their home. The man stabbed the mother near her left eye as she opened the door to let their dog out, Hanley said. Her children fought with Soto and also were wounded. The son told police that the attacker ran away after he struck him with a syrup bottle.
Residents then flagged down first responders about another attack on the same street, Hanley said. Stabbing suspect terrorized multiple homes, teen girls’ sleepover
Jenna Newcomb and a friend were watching a movie in her basement and Jenna’s sister was upstairs when Soto entered their house through an unlocked door. Hanley said one of the girls later told police Soto “was covered in blood. He beat all three teens with a baseball bat and Jenna died in the attack. The girls who survived are 14 and 15.
Jenna’s mother said she died trying to protect her sister and friend from further harm, according to McNamara.
Soto then broke a window to get into a home close by on Florence Street. A woman fled the home and Soto chased her into the yard and stabbed her. Keith Fahreny, who was driving by, saw the attack and stopped to intervene, Hanley said.
Soto attacked Fahreny and tried to steal his vehicle, but Fahreny dragged him from the car. Soto once again fled on foot, but he was soon arrested by a sheriff’s deputy.
The woman and Fahreny both survived the attack.
Resident Vanessa Hy told WREX-TV in Rockford that she witnessed the arrest.
“We heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming, ‘Stop! Get down!’” Hy told the TV station. “Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody.”
Clearly distraught, McNamara spoke of how the slayings have disrupted his community.
“Right now, the focus is on these individuals who have lost their lives this week,” he added. “Their families, making sure they’re getting healing that they need.”
“You might hear grief and sadness from me,” the mayor said. “I’m also really pissed off.”
Rockford, home to about 150,000 people, is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Chicago. Its economy was decimated by industrial change in the 1980s and now largely depends on manufacturing and healthcare.
Some residents bristle at the mention of a 2013 Forbes article classifying it as one of the country’s “most miserable cities,” that pointedly noted Rockford’s double-digit unemployment rate. Forbes and other media outlets have been more complimentary in recent years, noting the city’s affordable cost of living and efforts to support local restaurants and entertainment venues.
But Rockford’s police force, like many across the U.S., has reported increases in violent crime since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year’s violent crimes totals dropped by about 19%, according to the department’s annual report, but there were 20 murders compared to 15 in 2022.
The stabbings Wednesday came just days after a teenage employee was stabbed and killed inside a Walmart in the city. A suspect in that killing has been arrested.
Clergy from different faiths gave prayers Thursday afternoon at a vigil for those slain and wounded.
“I came today because I didn’t want to grieve alone,” said the Rev. Caleb Hong, senior pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford. “And I was hurting, and my guess is many of you are hurting or you’re scared, or you’re wondering why does this happen?”
“We’re all feeling the same way. We’re all hurting,” he said.
Timothy Carter is an alleged killer from Rockford Illinois who has been charge with the murder of a Walmart Employee
According to police reports Timothy Carter would attack the eighteen year old Walmart employee with a knife
The Walmart Employee, who has not been named publicly as of this writing, was rushed to the hospital and died soon after
Timothy Carter would be arrested and has been charged with murder
Timothy Carter News
An 18-year-old Walmart employee has passed away from injuries he sustained in a stabbing inside a Walmart Sunday evening.
The Rockford Police Department responded around 6:05 p.m. to the Walmart on Northridge for a reported stabbing. Officers found an 18-year-old had a life-threatening stab wound to the back. He was taken to a local hospital but passed away a short time later.
Police later identified the suspect as 28-year-old Timothy Carter of Rockford. He faces a First-Degree Murder charge. He is lodged in the Winnebago County Jail.
Crosetti Brand is an alleged killer from Chicago Illinois who would stab to death an eleven year old boy and critically injure the boy’s mother in a home invasion a day after he was released from prison
According to police reports Crosetti Brand was released early from prison after he was sentenced to sixteen years for home invasion and assault.
Crosetti Brand first time out was cut short after he would threaten the woman, that he would later murder, through text messages. For whatever the reason the Illinois parole board gave him another chance and he would be released again after serving only seven years of the sixteen year sentence
A day after he was released he would go to the home of the woman and forced his way into the home where he would fatally stab the eleven year old boy and critically injured the woman
Now Crosetti Brand has been charged with murder, attempted murder and home invasion with more charges pending
Crosetti Brand News
A convicted felon has been charged with fatally stabbing an 11-year-old boy and seriously injuring his pregnant mother in a home invasion attack in Chicago on Wednesday, one day after the suspect was paroled from prison, police say.
Crosetti Brand, 37, is charged with a slew of crimes including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder for the vicious attack which took place in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue in Edgewater, about nine miles north of Downtown Chicago.
Brand fatally stabbed Jayden Perkins as he came to the aid of his mother, who was also stabbed, police say. The knife wound severed a major artery and the boy bled to death. Perkins’ 5-year-old brother witnessed the attack on his family but was unharmed.
Police say video shows Brand running away from the scene holding the knife that was used in the attack.
“An innocent child’s life was taken as he tried to protect his mother, far too soon,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said, according to Fox 32 Chicago. “A mother was attacked in what should have been the safest place for her, which was her home.”
Police say the mother, identified on a family support fund page as Laterria Smith, was getting her boys ready for school at around 8 a.m. when Brand burst into the house and carried out his attack. The woman was able to lock herself into a bedroom and Brand left after kicking at the door, prosecutors said.
He has a long criminal record for domestic violence and violating orders of protection.
Brand had a prior relationship with the mother more than 15 years ago and was serving a 16-year sentence for home invasion and aggravated assault when he was paroled and placed on electronic monitoring in October, police said.
While Brand was on parole, he threatened the victim through text messages and also showed up at her home despite the victim having a lifetime order of protection against him.
He was sent back to prison in February for violating his parole and was released from the Stateville Correctional Center with electronic monitoring on Tuesday having served about seven years, police say. It is unclear why he was let out early again.
He was arrested hours after the stabbing.2
“Along with being brutally attacked, stabbed multiple times, dealing with that trauma, [the mother] has to face the fact that she will never see, touch, hug her 11-year-old son. She’s lost him forever,” Chicago Police Department Supt. Larry Snelling said.
In 2015, Brand attacked the same woman just four days after she broke off their dating relationship, Fox 32 reports, citing court records.
A vigil was held for Perkins on Thursday
The family support fund noted that Perkins was a top student with a bright future.
“Jayden was an exceptional young man, respected by his peers and admired by his teachers,” the fundraiser states.
“He excelled academically, earning straight A’s and consistently making the honor roll. He was also deeply involved in extracurricular activities, participating in cross country, football, and the arts. Jayden had a passion for performing and theater, and he had the lead role in several school plays, including ‘Finding Nemo’ at Peirce Elementary.”
Joshua McGhee is a man from Lansing Illinois who has been charged with the murder of a two month old infant
According to court documents Lansing paramedics would rush to a home when 911 received a call a two month old girl was unresponsive. Unfortunately when they arrived the infant could not be saved
An autopsy was performed on the infant and it was determined that her cause of death was blunt force trauma and it was a homicide
Joshua McGhee would be arrested and has been charged with the murder as well as not registering as a sex offender
Joshua McGhee News
A 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with the death of his 2-month-old daughter in south suburban Lansing this week.
Lansing first responders were dispatched to a Motel 6 in the 2100 block of Bernice Road for an unresponsive subject on Tuesday at 11:13 p.m. They found the subject was a 2-month-old baby.
They attempted to resuscitate the child and she was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.
Lansing and Illinois State Police began a death investigation.
The Lake County Indiana Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the baby’s death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to her head.
After interviewing individuals at the scene, police said they determined the child’s father, Joshua B. McGhee, 24, was responsible for the baby’s death.
McGhee was charged with one count of first-degree murder and failure to register as a sex offender.
He was scheduled to appear in Cook County court for a hearing on Friday.
A 24-year-old former Lansing man has been charged with murder in the death of his infant daughter, police said.
Joshua McGhee was charged with first degree murder and failure to register as a sex offender.
Lansing police said they were called out shortly before 11:15 p.m. Tuesday to the Motel 6 at 2151 Bernice Road for a report of an unresponsive person.
Police and fire officials arrived to find a 2-month-old girl and initiated CPR before rushing her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Lansing and state police began investigating and officials in Lake County, Indiana, determined the death to be a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head, Lansing police said.
“After interviewing the individuals who were at the scene it was determined the child’s father, Joshua B. McGhee, age 24, … was responsible for the death of the infant,” police said.
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