911 Call Turns Deadly: Ex-Deputy Convicted of Killing Sonya Massey

According to court documents, the incident unfolded in the early hours of July 6, 2024, when Massey dialed 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield home. Deputies arrived, including Grayson, who entered the residence to investigate.

The trial, moved from Springfield to Peoria due to massive media attention, has captivated the public.

In the footage, Massey can be seen moving a pot of boiling water from her stove while saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Seconds later, Grayson fired three shots, one hitting Massey just below her eye.

Prosecutors say she posed no real threat — she was frightened and praying, not attacking. But Grayson claims he believed Massey was about to throw the boiling water on him, arguing he acted in self-defense.

After days of emotional testimony and evidence review, jurors found Grayson guilty of second-degree murder, rejecting his claims of self-defense. The courtroom reportedly fell silent before tears and cries of relief echoed from Massey’s supporters and family members.

Grayson faced three counts of first-degree murder. The jury was also able to consider second-degree murder, which carries 4 to 20 years.

The jury was made up of nine women and three men. They deliberated for about six and a half hours Tuesday before breaking for the evening. During closing arguments, prosecutors held up the same pot Massey was using that night, mocking Grayson’s so-called fear:

“Here’s the giant, dangerous pot that Sean Grayson was so afraid of.”

They succesfully argued that Massey was trying to de-escalate, not attack, and that Grayson’s actions were reckless and unjustified.

The defense fired back, calling the shooting “a tragedy, not a crime.” They urged jurors to focus on Grayson’s mindset in that split second — not hindsight — insisting he made a “split-second mistake” while fearing for his life.

Sonya Massey’s killing sparked outrage across Illinois and beyond. The fact that she called for help and died in her home reignited national conversations about police use of force, especially in cases involving Black women.

Her death also led to the introduction of the “Sonya Massey Bill,” aimed at reforming law enforcement hiring and background checks to increase transparency and accountability across Illinois.

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Grayson now faces years behind bars. The sentencing date has not yet been announced.