Former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson died Sunday in prison, where he was serving a 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey. Grayson's attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed his client's death to Fox News Digital without providing further details.
Last month, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied Grayson's request for medical release, which he sought under a state law for inmates with terminal or serious illnesses. At the time of his sentencing, Grayson's legal team stated that he was battling colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs.
Grayson, 32, was convicted in October 2024 by a jury for the fatal shooting of Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman. The incident occurred on July 6, 2024, when Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield-area home. Body-camera footage released after the shooting showed Massey ducking and apologizing before Grayson fired three shots inside the residence, one of which struck her in the head.
According to court proceedings, Massey had called police shortly before 1 a.m. to report suspicious activity. Grayson and another deputy investigated the property before speaking with Massey at her front door. Inside, as deputies questioned Massey and sought identification to complete a report, Grayson noticed a pot heating on the stove. He then ordered Massey to move the pot, threatened to shoot her, and opened fire after she briefly rose from a crouched position. Grayson's partner testified that he did not perceive Massey as a threat and only drew his own weapon after Grayson did.
Grayson was fired from his position after the shooting. He initially faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct, but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder. A judge subsequently imposed the maximum 20-year sentence.
Massey's death garnered national attention, prompting demonstrations and scrutiny of Grayson's prior law enforcement employment history. In response to the case, Illinois passed the Sonya Massey Act, which mandates closer reviews of an applicant's employment history by law enforcement agencies. The Justice Department also initiated a civil-rights investigation, leading to an agreement with Sangamon County and other local agencies to reform policing and emergency response protocols. These reforms include enhanced training for calls involving individuals with behavioral-health disabilities and the creation of a mobile crisis-response program.