Former Illinois deputy sentenced to 20 years for US killing of Sonya Massey

Sean Grayson fatally shot Massey after she called police to her home, in a killing that sparked outrage and protests.Published On 29 Jan 2026A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting a 36-year-old woman who called police to her home for help.The 2024 killing of Sonya Massey sparked widespread protests amid a wider reckoning over police conduct towards Black residents in the United States.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US jury acquits three Memphis police officers in Tyre Nichols beating deathlist 2 of 3What ICE agents are taught: How to use ‘deadly force’, evade lawsuitslist 3 of 3ICE, Ilhan Omar and Somalis: Unpacking Trump’s obsession with Minnesotaend of listSean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting. On Thursday, he received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.During sentencing, Grayson apologised, saying he wished he could bring Massey back. His lawyer had asked for a sentence of six years.“I made a lot of mistakes that night. There were points when I should’ve acted, and I didn’t. I froze,” he said during the hearing. “I made terrible decisions that night. I’m sorry.”Massey, who suffered from mental health issues, had called police to her home in the Illinois state capital, Springfield, saying she was afraid of a prowler outside.Body camera footage of her exchange with police showed that Massey appeared confused, repeating, “Please, God.”Inside her home, Grayson noticed a boiling pot of water and asked Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley to move it. Instead, Massey went to the stove and picked up the pot, appearing to tease Grayson for moving away from “the hot, steaming water”.She then said: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”Grayson drew his firearm. Massey set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. When she appeared to pick up the pot again, Grayson opened fire, hitting Massey three times in the face.