Ex-Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been convicted of second-degree murder after fatally shooting a Black woman who called 911 for help last year.
Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers, called 911 on July 6, 2024, to report a suspected prowler on her Springfield property. When Grayson responded, he shot Massey in her home after confronting her over a pot of hot water she was holding.
Grayson, who is white, was convicted on Wednesday afternoon after the jury deliberated for several hours. He was originally facing first-degree murder charges, but the judge allowed the jury to also consider second-degree murder following the week-long trial.
The 31-year-old will be sentenced on January 29. Grayson could be sentenced to probation or up to 20 years in prison, the Associated Press reports.
The Massey family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, said Wednesday that Grayson’s actions warranted a first-degree murder conviction.
"While we believe Grayson's actions deserved a first-degree conviction, today's verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey. 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,” the attorneys said. “We will continue to fight for Sonya's family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.”
When Grayson responded to Massey’s home last summer, he went inside and spoke to her with his partner, Dawson Farley. Body camera footage shows Massey entering her kitchen and handling a pot of water. When Massey asked why Grayson why he was backing up, he replied that it was to avoid the “hot, steaming water.”
Massey responded, “Away from my hot, steaming water? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson then drew his gun and yelled for her to drop the pot, the body camera footage shows. Massey apologized, dropped the pot and ducked behind the counter, but as Grayson continued to shout, she appeared to pick it up again, according to the Associated Press. In the ensuing chaos, Grayson fired his gun three times, striking Massey once on the left side of her face.
Grayson testified in his own defense on Monday, telling the jury he believed Massey was going to throw the water at him and that he felt threatened.
"I took it as a threat. It raises a lot of concern for me and I believe she's going to throw the water...we were trained to use force that's going to gain compliance,” Grayson testified, according to CBS Chicago.
Farley testified last week, and told the jury that he that was not afraid of Massey. Farley also said that Grayson told him first aid wasn’t needed, as Massey had been shot in the head, local outlet WAND News reports. As Farley applied pressure to Massey’s wound, he told Grayson his help wasn’t necessary. “I’m not even gonna waste my med stuff then,” Grayson replied, according to the Associated Press.
Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, a forensic pathologist, later testified that Massey could have survived her wound if she received prompt medical care and the bleeding was controlled. Under cross-examination, he also said it’s true that some people still die after receiving medical care for that type of injury.
Massey’s family reached a $10 million settlement with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department in February. In a statement at the time, they called for “more robust background checks, and the greater sharing of work history and personal history for applicants to law enforcement roles.”
Massey’s story also prompted police reform, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signing “Sonya Massey’s Bill” into law two months ago. The bill revised police hiring procedures in the state and required agencies to “comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history — including detailed employment records — before making a job offer,” according to a statement from Pritzker’s office.
The Independent has contacted the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office and Grayson’s attorney for comment.
