PEORIA, Ill. — Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder on Oct. 29 for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman whose death last year sparked nationwide protests and a Department of Justice investigation.
The verdict came after two days of jury deliberations. Grayson, 31, was originally charged with first-degree murder, but jurors were also given the option to convict on the lesser charge. He now faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing set for Jan. 29, 2026, before Judge Ryan Cadagin.
Attorneys for Massey’s family said that while they had hoped for a first-degree murder conviction, the verdict still represents “a measure of justice.”
“Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost,” attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a joint statement. “We will continue to fight for Sonya’s family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.”
The Fatal Shooting
Massey, 36, was shot and killed in her Springfield, Illinois home in July 2024 after she called police to report a possible intruder. At the time, she was experiencing a mental health crisis, according to her family.
Body camera footage showed deputies telling Massey they found no one outside her home. Moments later, inside her kitchen, Grayson instructed her to remove a pot of hot water from the stove. When Massey responded, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Grayson warned, “You better not,” before pulling out his weapon and shouting for her to drop the pot.
“OK, I’m sorry,” Massey replied, ducking behind her counter. Grayson then fired three shots, hitting her once in the face. Massey was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Aftermath and Fallout
Grayson was fired and arrested within weeks of the shooting. The incident led to a leadership shake-up at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, including the retirement of Sheriff Jack Campbell under pressure from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
In February, the county reached a $10 million settlement with Massey’s family — the largest in its history. The DOJ investigation also prompted sweeping policy changes, including new training for deputies on handling mental health crises.
Subsequent revelations showed Grayson had a troubled history in law enforcement, including two DUIs, a discharge from the U.S. Army for “serious misconduct,” and prior complaints from both civilians and fellow officers — though those details were not admitted in court.
Inside the Trial
Prosecutors argued Grayson’s use of force was excessive and unjustified, saying he escalated an otherwise manageable situation. Several law enforcement experts testified that his actions violated proper protocol, and his responding partner told jurors he did not feel threatened by Massey.
“‘I’m sorry!’ Those are the last words Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he was going to,” State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers told the jury during closing arguments.
Defense attorneys maintained that Grayson acted in self-defense, claiming he feared Massey would throw boiling water at him. One defense expert even called the shooting “a successful de-escalation.” Grayson testified that he considered using a Taser but didn’t believe it would be effective through her clothing.
Remembering Sonya Massey
Massey’s family said she struggled with mental illness and lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause neurological symptoms. Before her illness worsened, she worked as a home health aide and was known as a warm, caring mother of two.
“She was just a happy person all the way around,” her cousin Crystal Chalmers told USA TODAY. “I’ve never seen her angry, and she’d always help anyone in need.”
Another cousin, Sontae Massey, said the trial was painful but necessary. “It’s tough, but we have to get to the finish line,” she said outside the courthouse. “I still think of Sonya every day and want to call her every day — and that could have happened if the deputies had done their jobs.”
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