The former Illinois deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey faces up to
20 years in prison
[January 29, 2026]
By JOHN O'CONNOR
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted
of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black
woman who called 911 to request help, is scheduled to be sentenced
Thursday.
Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October. Grayson, who is white, could
be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison but also is eligible for
probation. He has been incarcerated since he was charged in the killing.
In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey — who struggled with
mental health issues — summoned emergency responders because she feared
there was a prowler outside her Springfield home.
According to body camera footage, Grayson and sheriff’s Deputy Dawson
Farley, who was not charged, searched Massey's yard before meeting her
at her door. Massey appeared confused and repeatedly said, “Please,
God.”
The deputies entered her house, Grayson noticed the pot on the stove and
ordered Farley to move it. Instead, Massey went to the stove, retrieved
the pot and teased Grayson for moving away from “the hot, steaming
water.”
From this moment, the exchange quickly escalated.
Massey said: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson drew his sidearm and yelled at her to drop the pan. She set the
pot down and ducked behind a counter. But she appeared to pick it up
again.
That's when Grayson opened fire on the 36-year-old single mother,
shooting her in the face. He testified that he feared Massey would scald
him.
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In this image taken from body camera video released by
Illinois State Police on Monday, July 22, 2024, former Sangamon
County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson, left, points his gun at Sonya
Massey, who called 911 for help, before shooting and killing her
inside her home in Springfield, Ill., July 6, 2024. (Illinois State
Police via AP, File)
Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which
could have led to a life sentence, but a jury convicted him of the
lesser charge. Illinois allows for a second-degree murder conviction
if evidence shows the defendant honestly thought he was in danger,
even if that fear was unreasonable.
Massey's family was outraged by the jury's decision.
“The justice system did exactly what it’s designed to do today. It’s
not meant for us,” her cousin Sontae Massey said after the verdict.
Massey’s killing raised new questions about U.S. law enforcement
shootings of Black people in their homes. Civil rights attorney Ben
Crump negotiated a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County for
Massey's relatives.
The case also generated a U.S. Justice Department inquiry that was
settled when the county agreed to implement more de-escalation
training; collect more use-of-force data; and forced the sheriff who
hired Grayson to retire. The case also prompted a change in Illinois
law requiring fuller transparency on the backgrounds of candidates
for law enforcement jobs. |
