What we know about the deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey in her home after she called 911 for help


Published: 3 months ago

Reading time: 3 minutes

The Illinois deputy charged with fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 for help, in her home earlier this month, had worked at six different law enforcement agencies in four years and was charged with drunk driving tw

The family of 36-year-old Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy in her Illinois home, is demanding an investigation into the hiring of the deputy, Sean Grayson. Grayson, 30, has been indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, and has since been fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. Records show that Grayson had a troubled past, working for six law enforcement agencies in four years and facing two DUI charges. The family's concerns are heightened by the tragic trend of Black women being killed by police in their own homes, including Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson.

On July 6, 2023, Grayson and another deputy responded to Massey's 911 call about a possible prowler. Body-camera footage reveals that Grayson threatened to shoot Massey in the face during the encounter, and moments later, he fatally shot her. The Illinois State Police deemed Grayson's actions an "unjustified use of deadly force."

Massey's family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, is calling for accountability and justice. They are seeking answers from Sangamon County regarding Grayson's hiring, given his arrest record and job history. The tragic death of Sonya Massey underscores the ongoing issues of police violence and the disproportionate impact on Black women in the United States.


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