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Sean Grayson, former deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey, dies in prison : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey in her home, died Sunday while serving a 20-year prison sentence.
- Grayson shot Massey in July 2024 after responding to her 911 call about a prowler; bodycam footage showed Massey apologizing moments before being shot.
- Despite Grayson's claim of fearing Massey would throw hot water at him, the other deputy on scene testified he did not see her as a threat, leading to Grayson's conviction.
- Massey's death sparked national protests and led to the Sonya Massey Act, which mandates stricter background checks for law enforcement hires in Illinois.
- The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation and reached an agreement with local agencies to improve policing practices, including enhanced training and mobile crisis response programs.
