Former Illinois Sheriff’s Deputy Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in Sonya Massey Shooting
Springfield, Illinois — A former sheriff’s deputy in Illinois was convicted on October 29, 2025, of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old African American woman, in an incident that sparked widespread attention and debate over law enforcement conduct.
Sean Grayson, who was dismissed from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office following the July 6, 2024 shooting, was initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder. After a trial that began in late October 2025, the jury found him guilty of a lesser but still serious charge of second-degree murder.
The incident began when Massey called 911 to report a possible prowler near her home in Woodside Township, close to Springfield. Deputies Grayson and Dawson Farley responded and conducted a search of the area but found no intruder.
Upon entering Massey’s residence, the deputies requested identification. Massey began searching for it, but tensions escalated quickly. According to court testimony and reports, Massey lifted a pot of boiling water from the stove and twice said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson, claiming he felt threatened, responded aggressively, yelling that he would “shoot [her] right in [her] fucking face,” and drew his service pistol.
Both deputies shouted at Massey to drop the pot. She apologized but was shot three times by Grayson, with one shot fatally striking her in the head.
During the trial, Grayson testified in his own defense, asserting that he feared for his life and acted in self-defense. Despite his testimony, the jury rejected a first-degree murder conviction but held him accountable for second-degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2026.
This case has raised serious questions about police protocols and the use of force, particularly in interactions with civilians inside their homes. Massey’s killing prompted significant community outcry and renewed calls for law enforcement reforms.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has faced criticism for the handling of the incident and the firing of Grayson prior to the trial.
As the sentencing date approaches, legal observers anticipate that this conviction could influence future policies regarding police engagement in similar situations and contribute to ongoing national discussions about policing and racial justice.