Illinois cop convicted of murder for shooting a Black woman dead in her own home after she called 911

Ex-Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has been convicted of second-degree murder after he fatally shot a Black woman in her home after she called 911 for help last year.

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers, called 911 on July 6, 2024, to report a suspected prowler on her Springfield property. When Grayson responded, he shot Massey in her home after confronting her over a pot of hot water she was holding.

Grayson, 31, was convicted of second-degree murder on Wednesday afternoon after the jury deliberated for several hours. He was originally facing first-degree murder charges, but the judge allowed the jury to also consider second-degree murder.

He will be sentenced on January 29. Grayson could face up to 20 years in prison, but he could also be sentenced to probation and avoid jail time, the Associated Press reports.

The Massey family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, said Wednesday that Grayson’s actions warranted a first-degree murder conviction.

“While we believe Grayson’s actions deserved a first-degree conviction, today’s verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey. Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost,” the attorneys said. “We will continue to fight for Sonya’s family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.”

When Grayson responded to Massey’s home last summer, he went inside and spoke to her with his then-partner, Dawson Farley. Body camera footage shows Massey entering her kitchen and handling a pot of water. When Massey asked why Grayson why he was backing up, he replied that it was to avoid the “hot, steaming water.”

Massey responded, “Away from my hot, steaming water? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson drew his gun and yelled for her to drop the pot, the body camera footage shows. In the ensuing chaos, Grayson fired his gun three times, striking Massey once on the left side of her face.

Grayson testified in his own defense on Monday, telling the jury he believed Massey was going to throw the water at him and that her words felt threatening, according to CBS Chicago.

“I took it as a threat,” Grayson testified. “It raises a lot of concern for me and I believe she’s going to throw the water…we were trained to use force that’s going to gain compliance.”

Farley testified last week, and told the jury that he that was not afraid of Massey. Farley also said that Grayson told him Massey was shot in the head, and first aid wasn’t needed, local outlet WAND News reports. Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, a forensic pathologist, later testified that Massey could have survived her wound if she received prompt medical care and the bleeding was controlled.

Massey’s family reached a $10 million settlement with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department in February. In a statement at the time, they called for “more robust background checks, and the greater sharing of work history and personal history for applicants to law enforcement roles.”

Massey’s story also prompted police reform, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signing “Sonya Massey’s Bill” into law two months ago. The bill revised police hiring procedures in the state and required agencies to “comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history — including detailed employment records — before making a job offer,” according to a statement from Pritzker’s office.

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