The killing of Massey, a Black mother of two who had suffered from mental health issues, sparked a wave of protests and a federal investigation by the Justice Department.
Massey’s shooting death shocks the community and sparks calls for police reform
Sonya Massey’s death represents a microcosm of deadly police encounters across the country
PEORIA, IL – A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of second-degree murder in the Oct. 29 shooting death of Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman. His killing sparked protests and a Justice Department discrimination investigation last year.
The verdict against Sean Grayson, 31, was handed down on the second day of deliberations. Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, but a second-degree murder option was added to jury instructions before deliberations began.
The former deputy now faces up to 20 years in prison. Judge Ryan Cadagin scheduled the sentencing hearing for January 29, 2026.
Lawyers for the Massey family said while they hoped Grayson would be convicted of first-degree murder, the sentence represented “a measure of justice for Sonya Massey.”
“Accountability has begun and we look forward to the court imposing meaningful sentences that reflect the gravity of these crimes and the lives lost,” attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a statement. “We will continue to fight for Sonya’s family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.”
Grayson, who is white, shot and killed Massey, 36, in his home in July 2024 after he called police about a possible intruder. At the time, Massey was in the midst of a mental health crisis, family members and officials said.
Prosecutors argued that Grayson escalated the situation and that his use of force was excessive and unwarranted. Grayson, who was fired after the incident, said he shot Massey because he thought he was going to throw a pot of boiling water at him, claiming self-defense.
The killing of Massey, a mother of two who had long battled mental illness, sparked a wave of demonstrations and calls for police reform nationwide. The shooting shocked the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a series of personnel changes and policy changes.
In February, Sangamon County agreed to a $10 million settlement with Massey’s family, believed to be the largest settlement in the county’s history.
What happened in the incident?
On July 6, 2024, Grayson and another deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Massey’s home in Springfield, Illinois, after reporting a possible intruder. Body camera footage shows officers telling Massey they searched the area around his home and found nothing.
A few minutes later, inside Massey’s house, Grayson asked her to get a pot of hot water from the stove. Massey held the pot and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson said, “You better not,” and replied that he would shoot Massey.
He drew his weapon and yelled for Massey to drop the pot.
“Okay, sorry,” Massey said, crouching behind the kitchen counter. Grayson approached and fired three times, hitting Massey once in the face. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Within weeks, Grayson was fired and arrested on murder charges. Sangamon Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned after pressure from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to resign. And to resolve a federal investigation by the Department of Justice, the sheriff’s office and county agreed to update their procedures and training to better engage with people facing mental health crises.
Meanwhile, Springfield officials called for a review of the department’s hiring practices after past misconduct allegations against Grayson came to light.
Grayson’s stain included two counts of driving under the influence, a discharge from the U.S. military for “gross misconduct,” and charges from people he policed and other law enforcement officers. Details of his previous work in law enforcement were excluded from the murder trial.
Defense and prosecution make conflicting arguments regarding use of force
In court, prosecutors argued that Grayson’s actions amounted to murder. To strengthen their case, they called several law enforcement experts to the stand, who argued that Grayson’s actions escalated the situation. Massey’s partner, who responded to his home, also took a stand, saying Massey “did not threaten me.”
“I’m sorry!” said State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rogers, jumping off the podium during closing arguments. “These were the last words Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her, just as he said he would do.”
Meanwhile, Grayson’s lawyer said his client feared for his life. They called a use-of-force expert to the stand who said Grayson’s actions were appropriate. One expert evaluated the shooting incident as “successfully quelled.”
Grayson, defending himself, told the court he considered using a Taser, but did not because he was unsure whether it would be effective against her clothing.
“Tasers don’t work on everyone,” he says.
He added: “I believe she will throw water. We have been trained to use violence to get compliance.”
The trial placed a heavy burden on Sonya Massey’s family.
Massey had been in critical condition in the weeks leading up to the shooting and reportedly spoke with Springfield’s Mobile Crisis Response Team three times in the two weeks before his death, according to details of the conversations released by the sheriff’s office.
Massey’s family said he suffered from mental illness and was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that can cause headaches, confusion and memory loss. Ms. Massey was employed as a home health aide until a chronic illness forced her to quit her job.
A year after her death, Massey’s relatives described her in interviews as a loving mother who cared deeply for her family, often taking on the role of cook at family barbecues.
“She was always a happy person,” her cousin Crystal Chalmers previously told USA TODAY. “I never saw her upset or angry. She always did everything she could to help those in need.”
Grayson’s murder trial was painful for them to watch.
“It’s tough, but we have to get to the finish line,” Sonja Massey’s other cousin, Sonte Massey, said outside the courthouse last week.
“We want Sonya to still be here,” she added. “I still think about Sonya every day and want to call her every day. If (deputies) had done their job, that might have happened.”
This story has been updated to add new information.
Contributed by: N’dea Yancey-Bragg
