Former Sheriff's deputy sentenced for killing Sonya Massey after she called 911 for help
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
The former Sangamon Country Sheriff’s deputy has now been given the maximum sentence for the death of Sonya Massey back in 2024.
Back in July 2024, the 36-year-old Massey was shot and killed at her home by Sean Grayson, the then Sangamon Country Sheriff’s deputy.
She had called the police due to a fear of a possible intruder at her home in Springfield, Illinois.
At the time body cam footage spread on social media showing the incident that led to the shooting, with many condemning Graysons’ actions.
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The footage showed that while inside Massey’s home, Grayson pointed to a pot of boiling water on her stove and told her to ‘walk away from your hot steaming water.’
Massey then appeared to pour the water into the sink while repeating the phrase ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.’
Grayson threatened to shoot her and Massey apologized and ducked down behind a counter, covering her face with an oven mitt. As she briefly rises, Grayson shoots her three times in the face, according to the footage.
On Thursday, (January 29), Grayson was sentenced to 20 years in prison, following his conviction in October 2025 of second-degree murder.
During his testimony, Grayson told the jury he believed Massey was going to throw the scalding water on him and that he was scared.
Ahead of his hearing, Grayson apologized to the Massey family. According to a WICS report, he said: "I wish there was something I could do to bring her back. I wish this didn't happen. I wish they [Massey's family] didn't have to go through this experience. I am very sorry.”
Speaking to the Judge, Grayson also said: “There were points when I should've acted, and I didn't -- I froze. I made terrible decisions that night. I'm sorry."
The family’s attorney, Cliff Jones spoke after the verdict and said no sentence could replace what was taken from the family.
Speaking to reporters he said: “Obviously this is an emotional moment of victory for this family.
“Today’s sentence for Sean Grayson represents another meaningful step towards justice for this family. While no sentence can ever restore what was taken from Sonya’s family or undue the harm that this horrific act has done to this community, this outcome affirms a critical principle that no one is above the law.
Ahead of sentencing on Thursday, the judge denied Grayson’s request for a new trial.