Grayson Transferred to Sangamon County Jail

Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy charged in the 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, was transferred on Tuesday from Macon County Jail to the Sangamon County Jail in Springfield. The move was made to accommodate ongoing medical procedures and follow-up appointments, according to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

Grayson will be held in a secure unit within the facility, with all appropriate safety measures in place to ensure secure custody and continued operations. Sheriff’s officials noted that the decision to house Grayson in Springfield was made in consultation with correctional and medical staff. He is expected to remain at the Sangamon County Jail until his trial begins later this year in Peoria County.

Grayson faces multiple felony charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, stemming from the shooting of 36-year-old Sonya Massey on July 6, 2024. Massey, a Black woman and mother of two, had called 911 to report a suspected prowler near her Springfield home. Grayson and another deputy responded to the call, and during their interaction with Massey inside her home, Grayson fired three shots, striking her in the head. Massey was pronounced dead at the scene.

Body camera footage later revealed that Massey had been holding a pot of boiling water when Grayson drew his weapon. The footage also captured disturbing post-shooting remarks made by Grayson, which contributed to widespread public outcry. The incident led to Grayson’s termination from the Sheriff’s Office just days later and triggered protests and calls for reform both locally and nationally.

The case garnered further attention after Massey's family alleged that law enforcement initially misled them about the circumstances of her death, prompting additional scrutiny. In early 2025, Sangamon County reached a $10 million settlement with Massey's family, which included commitments to expanded officer training and policy reforms. A separate body, the Massey Commission, was also established to examine issues of systemic bias in local law enforcement practices.