Illinois County Reaches $10M Settlement Over Police Killing of Sonya Massey

The agreement follows the fatal shooting of Massey, a Black woman, by a sheriff's deputy after she called 911 for help, sparking calls for police reform and accountability.

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother of two, was fatally shot in her home in July 2024 by Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson, who has since been fired and charged with murder.
The $10 million settlement, approved by the Sangamon County Board, is the largest in the county's history and represents approximately 17% of its annual operating budget.
Grayson, who had a troubled history with six prior law enforcement agencies, fired three shots at Massey during a dispute involving a pot of boiling water, killing her with a shot to the head.
The case has reignited national discussions on police accountability, with new legislation proposed in Illinois to prevent the hiring of officers with problematic records and improve screening processes.
The Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office to implement non-discriminatory policing practices, de-escalation training, and mental health crisis response measures.