A former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy has been convicted in the shooting death of Sonya Massey in July 2024, and was sentenced Thursday morning to 20 years in prison. Sean Grayson, 31, appeared before a judge for a sentencing hearing following his second-degree murder conviction. He will also serve two years of mandatory supervised release and will receive credit for time already served.

Grayson had already been found guilty of second-degree murder in October by a Peoria County jury made up of nine women and three men. The conviction stemmed from the July 2024 shooting of Massey inside her Springfield home.

The case drew statewide and national attention after body-camera footage showed Grayson firing his weapon after Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler. The video sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of police use of force, particularly during responses to calls involving mental health concerns and incidents inside private residences.

In the months following the shooting, the case helped fuel legislative changes about accountability and training in Illinois law enforcement. While the sentencing brings the criminal case to a close, the issues raised by Massey’s death continue to be reviewed  across the state.