SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, died on Sunday around noon. Daniel Fultz confirmed the death of Grayson, who was 32 years old and six months into a 20-year prison sentence at the time.

Grayson shot Massey inside her home after responding to her 911 call regarding a prowler shortly before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024. The incident was captured on body camera video, which showed Grayson firing three shots that struck Massey, who was 36 years old at the time of her death. She was pronounced dead at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

Massey apologized and dropped to the floor during the confrontation. ‘I’m sorry.’ That is the last thing she said before the defendant murdered her, just like he said he would, Mary Beth Rodgers, First Assistant State’s Attorney in Sangamon County, said in court. Grayson declined to offer medical care to Massey after shooting her.

Partner deputy Farley testified that he was not afraid of Massey but feared Grayson. Farley stated that he never perceived Massey's statement as a threat and that he only unholstered his gun because Grayson did. Massey had said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," during the encounter. Grayson testified that he believed Massey was going to throw boiling water on him.

Grayson was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023. His condition progressed to Stage 4, spreading to his liver, lungs, and rectum. He filed for early release from prison in May, but the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his application for early medical release in July. It is unclear whether cancer caused Grayson's death.

John Milhiser, Sangamon County State’s Attorney, opposed the release effort. "To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice, and an insult to Sonya Massey’s memory and family," Milhiser wrote in a letter. Grayson had apologized for Massey’s death at his January sentencing. His sentence included two years of mandatory supervised release following imprisonment, and he was serving time in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The case led to protests over systemic racism, and the U.S. Department of Justice conducted a review of the incident. Sangamon County officials agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to Massey’s family in early 2025. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act, which requires stricter background checks for law enforcement hires. The act went into effect at the beginning of the year.

Why It Matters

The death of Grayson concludes a high-profile case that resulted in legislative changes and a financial settlement. The Sonya Massey Act, enacted in response to the shooting, imposes new hiring standards for law enforcement officers in Illinois. The $10 million settlement paid by Sangamon County reflects the civil liability arising from the deputy's actions while on duty.

Grayson’s conviction for second-degree murder and subsequent 20-year sentence demonstrated the legal consequences for the use of lethal force in this instance. The body camera footage, despite being activated late, provided critical evidence of the events leading to Massey's death. The denial of early medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board ensured Grayson remained incarcerated until his death.

Timeline

On July 6, 2024, Grayson responded to Sonya Massey's 911 call, accompanied by another deputy. Grayson's body camera was not activated for most of the call, turning on shortly after he pulled his weapon. Grayson backed away when Sonya Massey picked up the pot of water. Grayson pointed his gun at Sonya Massey and threatened to shoot her. Sonya Massey said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson shot Sonya Massey inside her home.

What's New

The Illinois Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of The People of the State of Illinois v. Grayson (Docket No. 131279) on November 20, 2025. John Milhiser wrote in a letter opposing Grayson’s release: "To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice, and an insult to Sonya Massey’s memory and family." Partner deputy Farley testified that he was not afraid of Sonya Massey but feared Grayson. The case prompted protests over systemic racism.

Grayson apologized for Sonya Massey’s death at his January sentencing. Farley testified that he only unholstered his gun because Grayson did. Another deputy accompanied Grayson to Sonya Massey's home.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the interaction between Grayson and Sonya Massey. The Sangamon County Circuit Court judgment states that Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, while the Springfield Police Department incident report notes that Grayson responded to Sonya Massey's 911 call. The Sangamon County Circuit Court trial testimony indicates that Grayson shot Sonya Massey inside her home, whereas the Springfield Police Department incident report focuses on his response to the call.

The Sangamon County Circuit Court trial transcript records that Partner deputy Farley testified that he was not afraid of Sonya Massey but feared Grayson, contrasting with the Springfield Police Department incident report which documents Grayson's response. The Springfield Police Department incident report states that Grayson responded to Sonya Massey's 911 call, while the Sangamon County Circuit Court sentencing transcript notes that Grayson apologized for Sonya Massey’s death at his January sentencing. The Springfield Police Department incident report confirms Grayson responded to the call, while trial testimony shows he backed away when Massey picked up a pot of water. The incident report confirms the response, while trial testimony reveals Grayson believed Massey was going to throw boiling water on him. The incident report confirms the response, while body-worn camera footage shows Grayson pointed his gun at Massey and threatened to shoot her. The incident report confirms the response, while trial testimony states Grayson declined to offer medical care to Massey after shooting her.