Settlement Reached in Sonya Massey Law Enforcement Case
The family of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by law enforcement in her Springfield, Illinois, home, has reached a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County. The county board unanimously approved the settlement on February 11, 2025.
The incident occurred on July 6, 2024, when Massey called 911 to report a possible intruder. Responding deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office arrived at her residence, where an altercation ensued in the kitchen. Body camera footage revealed that Deputy Sean Grayson shot Massey following a dispute involving a pot of boiling water. Massey, who had a history of mental health issues, was unarmed at the time.
Deputy Grayson was subsequently terminated from his position and is currently facing charges, including first-degree murder. He remains in custody without bail and has pleaded not guilty.
In response to the incident, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office have agreed to implement reforms aimed at improving law enforcement practices. These reforms include enhanced training in de-escalation techniques, better responses to mental health crises, and the establishment of a mobile crisis response unit in collaboration with mental health organizations.