Sean Grayson Dies in Prison | Chattanooga News

Sean Grayson, the former sheriff’s deputy convicted in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, has died at 32 while serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder. The July 2024 incident, captured on body cam, showed Massey—36, Black—crouching and apologizing before Grayson fired after she called 911 about a prowler. Despite testimony that Massey posed no threat, Grayson drew his weapon, later claiming he feared she’d throw hot water from a pot. Charged with first-degree murder, he was convicted of the lesser charge; his defense argued fear, but his terminal cancer diagnosis didn’t sway the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to grant release. Massey’s death ignited national outcry, leading to the Sonya Massey Act mandating deeper vetting of law enforcement hires and a Justice Department civil rights probe. Sangamon County agreed to overhaul policing—including crisis response training and a mobile unit—to prevent future tragedies. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b0abd00f0063bba4