Grayson arrested concerning July 6 officer-involved shooting

SPRINGFIELD — The body cam footage of former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson shooting and killing a Springfield woman was made public to the media Monday.

The video was made public Monday evening through a collective effort from Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser and the Illinois State Police after prior consultation with the family of Sonya Massey.

The alarming footage details the events of July 6, 2024 and an officer-involved shooting that involved Grayson. At 12:50 a.m., Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a 911 call at Massey’s home on the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue.

During the call, Grayson and another deputy made contact with Massey. Grayson, at some point, would discharge his firearm, striking and killing Massey.

The Illinois State Police were contacted to investigate the incident independently. The investigation was conducted in an expedited timeframe and was first evaluated under state law for the use of deadly force.

The ISP investigation found that the evidence did not support that Grayson was justified in his use of deadly force. Grayson’s case was referred to a Sangamon County grand jury.

On July 17, that grand jury sent down a five-count indictment, including three counts of first-degree murder, as well as single counts for aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Grayson was arrested on an arrest warrant later that day and remains in custody in the Sangamon County Jail.

State’s Attorney Milheiser is steadfast in getting justice for Sonya Massey’s family.

“The State’s Attorney’s Office is dedicated to pursuing justice through the prosecution of this case,” Milheiser said. “My prayers are with the family of Sonya Massey, and I commend the Illinois State Police for conducting an expedited investigation into her tragic death.”

A new pre-trial date has yet to be determined, per the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk’s office, but it appears that Daniel Fultz will be representing Grayson at trial.

The full video body cam footage is below. Due to the graphic nature of the content, viewer discretion is advised.

The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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