Sangamon County, Illinois, has agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to the family of Sonya Massey, nearly a year after she was fatally shot in her home by a sheriff’s deputy responding to her call for help.
Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two, was killed by former deputy Sean Grayson, who now faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with her death. The settlement, approved by county officials, aims to provide some measure of justice to Massey’s family while potentially avoiding a lengthy lawsuit.
On the day of the shooting, Massey had called 911 to report a suspected prowler near her home. Her mother had also reached out to emergency services multiple times in the days leading up to the incident, expressing concerns about her daughter’s safety and explicitly asking for officers who would not act with prejudice.
When deputies arrived at Massey’s home, an interaction unfolded that ended in deadly force. While in her living room, Massey removed a pot of water from the stove after Grayson suggested it be moved. Witnesses reported that she then uttered the words, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” In response, Grayson drew his weapon, shouted at her to drop the pot, and within moments, fired multiple shots. One of the bullets struck Massey in the head, killing her.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Massey’s family, described the shooting as an “unnecessary, excessive use of force.” According to an autopsy report, Massey had been in a stooped position when she was shot, moments after apologizing to the officer.
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Systemic Change and Accountability
The fallout from Massey’s death has prompted changes within Sangamon County’s law enforcement policies. The county has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to improve officer training in areas such as de-escalation techniques, mental health crisis intervention, and anti-discriminatory policing.
Additionally, a community-led initiative, the Massey Commission, was established to examine systemic racism and the breakdown of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The commission is tasked with recommending policies aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter acknowledged the gravity of the situation in a statement issued before the settlement vote.
“No amount of money can undo the damage caused by the reckless actions of a former deputy. However, this settlement represents an attempt to provide some level of justice to the Massey family while reinforcing the county’s commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future.”
A Painful Family Legacy
Massey’s death carries an especially painful historical weight for her family. She was a direct descendant of William Donnegan, a Black man lynched during the 1908 Springfield race riots—an event that helped catalyze the founding of the NAACP. In a tragic parallel, Massey was pronounced dead at the same hospital where Donnegan was taken more than a century earlier.
