Ex-Deputy Sean Grayson Convicted in 911 Shooting That Shocked Illinois – Justice for Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — What began as a frightened woman’s 911 call for help ended in tragedy — and, more than a year later, in a rare measure of accountability.

Ex-Deputy Sean Grayson Convicted in 911 Shooting That Shocked Illinois: Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of 36-year-old Sonya Massey, a Black mother of two who called 911 about a possible prowler near her home.

Ex-Deputy Sean Grayson Convicted in 911 Shooting

On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey dialed 911 to report suspicious activity outside her Springfield, Illinois home. Two Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies — including Sean Grayson, who had been with the department for only months — responded to the call.

Body camera footage later released by the Illinois State Police shows the deputies entering Massey’s home, speaking calmly at first. Grayson asked Massey to remove a pot of boiling water from her stove for safety.

As Massey picked up the pot, she reportedly said,

“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Within seconds, Grayson pulled his gun and fired three times, striking her — including once in the head. She fell to the kitchen floor.
Another deputy at the scene, Dawson Farley, later testified that Massey never made a threatening move and that Grayson’s actions violated department policy.

When Farley tried to render medical aid, Grayson discouraged him from using a medical kit — a detail that stunned both jurors and the public.

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The Body Cam Evidence

The body cam footage was played in court multiple times. Jurors watched as Massey stood quietly in her robe, apologizing before the fatal shots.

Prosecutors emphasized that Massey complied peacefully and posed no danger. Grayson later admitted he thought she might throw boiling water at him — but prosecutors argued there was no justification for deadly force.

The Trial: A Fight for Accountability

The weeklong trial took place in Peoria, Illinois, after Grayson’s defense team successfully requested a change of venue due to local protests and media coverage.

The jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours before finding Grayson guilty of second-degree murder, a lesser charge than first-degree, but one that still marks a rare conviction for an on-duty police officer.

Prosecutor John Milhiser told jurors:

“We are here because of the actions of the defendant. Sonya Massey is dead because of the defendant. Send anyone else — anyone — and Sonya Massey is alive.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers added in closing arguments:

“The last thing Sonya Massey said was, ‘I’m sorry.’ He wants you to believe he was scared — but he wasn’t. He was angry because he lost control. And when he snapped, he killed her.”

Grayson, 31, took the stand in his own defense, insisting:

“In this situation, I matched the threat level. The only tool I had was my weapon.”

His attorney, Daniel Fultz, argued the shooting was a tragic mistake — not a crime:

“She escalated the situation when she raised the pot. This was a tragedy, not a murder.”

But prosecutors painted Grayson as a bully with a badge who provoked the confrontation out of frustration, not fear.

Public Reaction: “I Rebuke You in the Name of Jesus”

When the verdict was read, Grayson’s family cried — but outside the courthouse, the crowd erupted in chants of “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

The phrase — Sonya’s final words — has since become a symbol of protest and remembrance.

Her cousin Sontae Massey said:

“If an officer says he’s going to shoot you in the face, and then he does, and only gets second-degree murder — that’s not justice.”

Her father, James Wilburn, expressed anger and exhaustion:

“He showed no remorse. He was cocky the whole trial — until the verdict knocked the smirk off his face.”

Sentence and Legal Fallout

Grayson faces 4 to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. Under Illinois law, he may receive day-for-day credit for good behavior, meaning he could serve as little as half his sentence.

Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, who represented the Massey family in a $10 million civil settlement, called the verdict “a measure of justice — but not enough.”

“Accountability has begun,” their statement read. “Now we hope the court imposes a sentence that reflects the life that was lost.”

A Pattern of Misconduct

Investigations after the shooting revealed that Grayson had worked for six law enforcement agencies in four years, bouncing between departments despite previous disciplinary issues and two DUI convictions.

This discovery sparked outrage — and prompted the creation of the Sonya Massey Act, signed by Governor JB Pritzker in August 2024.

The law mandates stricter background checks and oversight in police hiring, aiming to prevent officers with problematic records from moving freely between departments.

A Symbol of Systemic Reform

Sonya Massey’s death came just as the U.S. marked the 10th anniversary of the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, both of whom galvanized nationwide demands for racial justice.

Her killing reignited national debate about the policing of Black Americans, the use of deadly force, and the slow pace of reform despite public pressure.

While Illinois took legislative action, federal police reform efforts have largely stalled amid partisan divisions and shifting priorities.

Beyond the Verdict

Even with the conviction, many see Grayson’s sentence as a fraction of justice.
Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow explained that the defense strategically requested the inclusion of a second-degree charge to give jurors a compromise option.

“The defense didn’t want an all-or-nothing outcome,” he said. “It was a calculated move — and it worked.”

Yet, for many, Sonya’s death remains a painful reminder that justice often comes too late, and too little.

Remembering Sonya Massey

Sonya was a beloved mother, daughter, and friend — remembered for her faith, warmth, and resilience.
Her name now stands beside others whose deaths have fueled change: Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Sandra Bland, and countless others.

“There’s a difference in this country when you have my skin color and Grayson’s skin color,” said her father. “We need serious justice, not this half measure.”

A Legacy That Lives On

The Sonya Massey Act and the nationwide outrage her case sparked have become part of a broader movement to ensure accountability, transparency, and trust in law enforcement.

For many Americans, her final words — “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” — echo as both a prayer and a protest, a call to stand against injustice in all its forms.

In the end, Sonya Massey’s story is not only about one officer’s crime — it’s about a system’s failure, a family’s grief, and a country still struggling to turn pain into reform.