A former sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to prison for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed woman killed inside her home in 2024.
Massey, 36, called 911 late at night to report a possible intruder at her Springfield home. Deputies responded to the call meant to ensure her safety.
During the encounter inside her home, former deputy Sean Grayson shot Massey at close range. She later died from her injuries.
Grayson was charged with murder and later convicted of second-degree murder, after prosecutors argued the use of deadly force was unjustified.
In January 2026, a judge sentenced Grayson to 20 years in prison, the maximum allowed under Illinois law for the conviction.
Massey’s family and supporters gathered outside the courthouse, calling the sentence a step toward accountability but saying justice remains incomplete.
The case sparked national debate over police responses to emergency calls and led to renewed calls for reforms within Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and beyond.