Ex-Deputy Sean Grayson Found Guilty of Killing Sonya Massey

A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was fatally shot after calling 911 because she feared an intruder was inside her home.

Sean Grayson, 31, who is White, was found guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 29, according to the Associated Press and NBC News.

He was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the jury had the option to convict him on the lesser second-degree charge, NBC News reported. Additional counts of aggravated battery and official misconduct had been dropped earlier, per 25News Now.

“While we believe Grayson’s actions warranted a first-degree conviction, today’s verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey,” said family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci in a statement after the verdict. “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 Shooting

Grayson and another deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 36-year-old Massey’s home in Springfield, Illinois, around 12:50 a.m. on July 6, 2024, following her emergency call. According to body-camera footage reviewed by The New York Times and presented in court, the deputies searched around the property before entering her home, where Massey was seated on her couch.

Moments later, she stood to remove a pot of hot water from the stove and reportedly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson responded that she “better not” and warned he would shoot her in the face, per footage cited by the Times.

Within seconds, he drew his weapon, ordered Massey to drop the pot, and fired twice. Grayson then reported over his radio that a woman had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Massey was later pronounced dead at St. John’s Hospital, authorities confirmed.

Trial Testimony

During the trial, Grayson testified that he interpreted Massey’s “rebuke” as a threat and feared she might throw boiling water at him, NBC News reported. He also claimed he didn’t use his stun gun because he wasn’t sure it would be effective through her clothing.

“I didn’t want to take the chance of the Taser malfunctioning,” he said on the stand. “The Taser doesn’t work on everybody.”

Closing Arguments and Verdict

In closing arguments on Monday, Oct. 27, defense attorney Daniel Fultz acknowledged that Grayson fired the fatal shots but argued he was legally justified, saying his client “drew his weapon to gain compliance, to make her realize that whatever she was considering doing, she shouldn’t do,” according to CNN.

Prosecutor Mary Beth Rodgers, however, told jurors that Massey was in emotional distress but did not pose a threat. “It’s because [Grayson] snapped,” she said, per NBC 5 Chicago.

“‘I’m sorry.’ That is the last thing Sonya Massey said before the defendant murdered her,” Rodgers added.

Family Reaction

Massey’s father, James Wilburn, told CBS Mornings that the family initially believed Sonya had been killed by an intruder and were never informed it was a police shooting.

Her uncle, Raymond Massey, said last summer that the family was devastated by misinformation following her death. “We should be comforted after this situation,” he said. “And then you hear misinformation and lies, and it’s hurtful.”

He added that Sonya had recently purchased a new home and was looking forward to her future.