Where Is Sonya Massey’s Killer Now? What to Know About Sean Grayson Nearly 2 Years After Her Death

On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey was shot and killed in her home by Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson.

Massey’s death sparked protests, and prompted a statement from President Joe Biden.

Over a year later, in October 2025, Grayson was convicted on second-degree murder charges, and in January 2026, he was sentenced to prison.

“I made a lot of mistakes that night,” Grayson said during his sentencing hearing on Jan. 29, according to The New York Times. “I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do to bring her back. I wish this would never have happened.”

Here’s everything to know about Sean Grayson, including his involvement in Sonya Massey’s murder and where he is now.

Who is Sean Grayson?

Grayson is a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office deputy in Illinois.

He was hired in May 2023, according to the Associated Press, and fired by the sheriff’s office shortly after the shooting of Massey in July 2024, per The New York Times.

Prior to joining the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Grayson had a history of misconduct.

He was discharged from the U.S. Army for “misconduct (serious offense),” according to ABC News. Grayson was charged with two DUIs in August 2015 and July 2016.

After beginning his law enforcement career, Grayson had six jobs in four years, ABC News reported.

Who was Sonya Massey, and what happened to her?

Massey was a 36-year-old Black woman, and mother of two, living in Springfield, Ill.

On July 6, 2024, she called the police to report a potential home intruder, to which two deputies responded. After they searched the home’s backyard and perimeter, the officers were let inside by Massey.

According to bodycam footage obtained by The New York Times, while the deputies were in her home, Massey was sitting on the couch and got up to remove a pot of water from the stove.

Per the video, she told the police officers, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson warned her she “better not,” threatening to shoot her in the face.

Seconds later, he took out his gun, demanding she put down the pot of water. After the verbal altercation, he fired multiple shots, with one hitting Massey in the face, killing her.

Massey made headlines as a victim, but she was also a mom to two kids: a son, Malachi, and a daughter, Summer.

“She was so caring. She was always happy. She had a great spirit,” her uncle Raymond Massey told NBC News in August 2024. “Every time she had an accomplishment, or her kids had an accomplishment, she would call me. She’d be so proud. She was a great soul.”

According to the Associated Press, Massey faced mental health challenges and had admitted herself to a 30-day inpatient program the week before her death, but then returned two days later.

Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, called 911 on July 5, the day before Massey’s death, and alerted authorities that her daughter was having a mental breakdown, but wasn’t a threat, per CNN.

Why did Sean Grayson shoot Sonya?

According to a report he wrote after the incident, Grayson shot Massey because he feared she was going to throw the pot of hot water on him.

“I advised Sonya to put the boiling liquid down. Sonya stated (she) was going to rebuke me in the name of Jesus,” he wrote in a report after the incident, per the Associated Press. “She stated this twice. I interpreted this to mean she was going to kill me.”

“As I approached the cabinet, Sonya stood up from a crouched position, grabbing the pot, raising it above her head and throwing the boiling substance at me,” Grayson continued. “I was in imminent fear of getting boiling liquid to my face or chest, which would have caused great bodily harm or death.”

Prosecutors argued that the bodycam footage showed Grayson was not in any real threat, per NBC News.

How was Sean Grayson arrested? 

Grayson was fired from the sheriff’s department on July 17, 2024, the same day he was charged with “murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct,” according to the Illinois Times.

“It is clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards,” said Sheriff Jack Campbell in a statement, per the outlet. “Therefore, Sean Grayson’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office has been terminated.”

He had been incarcerated since first getting charged, the Associated Press reported.

Where is Sean Grayson now?

On Jan. 29, Grayson was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

His sentencing comes after he was convicted of second-degree murder on Oct. 29, 2025. He received the maximum time allowed for the offense in Illinois.

According to The New York Times, before Grayson’s sentence was read, Massey’s mother Donna addressed him, telling him, “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” repeating what her daughter said before she was killed.