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Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted in the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey, has died while serving his prison sentence.
Grayson’s attorney, Daniel L. Fultz, confirmed on Sunday that the 32-year-old had been battling Stage 4 colon cancer and was undergoing treatment at the time of his death. It remains unclear if cancer was the direct cause.
Last October, Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Massey, 36, and was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by two years of mandatory supervised release.
The incident occurred in July 2024, when Massey called police to report a possible prowler near her home. Grayson and another officer responded and spoke with Massey inside her residence. According to court evidence, Grayson claimed Massey began acting erratically, rebuking him “in the name of Jesus” as she moved toward a pot of water on the stove.
Body camera footage from Grayson’s partner captured the moment Grayson drew his weapon and shot Massey, who later died from her wounds. Grayson’s own body camera was off for most of the call, activating only shortly before he fired.
In the video, Grayson is heard warning Massey to “drop the f–king pot,” threatening to shoot her if she did not comply. Massey apologized and ducked for cover before three shots were fired. Prosecutors argued Grayson’s response was unjustified.
Grayson’s former partner, Dawson Farley, testified at trial that he did not feel threatened by Massey during the encounter, but rather feared Grayson himself. Farley said he only drew his weapon because Grayson did so first and did not interpret Massey’s words as a threat.
Legal analyst Irv Miller noted that Farley’s testimony was highly unusual, as it is rare for a law enforcement partner to testify against a fellow officer in a criminal case. Miller explained that the jury’s second-degree murder verdict indicated they believed Grayson’s claim of self-defense was unreasonable under the circumstances.
Grayson’s death closes a chapter on a case that drew significant attention, raising questions about use of force and accountability within law enforcement.