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Sean Grayson, ex-deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, dies, attorney says
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of fatally shooting Sonya Massey in 2024, has died while serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder.
- Grayson, 32, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023 and was denied medical release by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board in July, though it is unclear if cancer caused his death.
- The shooting occurred after Massey called 911 to report a prowler; body camera footage showed Grayson firing three times despite Massey’s apology and dropping to the floor.
- Grayson claimed he feared Massey was about to throw boiling water on him after she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” leading to the fatal shooting.
- Massey was pronounced dead at the hospital, and Grayson was convicted in 2025 amid public protests and calls for justice following the incident.
