LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, A former Sangamon County deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old mother who was shot inside her home after calling police for assistance.
Sean Grayson received the sentence in an Illinois courtroom following his conviction tied to the July 2024 shooting. According to court records and ChannelZ NOW reporting, Massey had called 911 after expressing concern about a possible prowler.
Deputies responded and searched the area but did not locate anyone outside the home.
Investigators said the encounter continued inside the residence, where body-camera footage showed Massey holding a pot of hot water while speaking with deputies. Moments before the shooting, she could be heard saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson then fired his weapon.
Massey was pronounced dead at the scene.
During sentencing, Grayson apologized to the court. Members of Massey’s family also addressed the judge, describing the lasting impact of her death.
“We got partial justice. The most we could get in the state of Illinois,” Sonya Massey’s father, James Wiburn, told ChannelZ NOW.
“Now the feds need to do their duty, they need to prosecute him federally for the violation of her civil rights.”
The case drew national attention and raised renewed questions about police use of force and responses to calls for help.
