DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Sonya Massey was shot and killed in July 2024 by now former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson.
Her death sparked protests, calls for justice, and prompted change within the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department. The Massey Commission was formed to make recommendations to county leaders addressing systemic racism and mistrust in law enforcement and other public officials.
A sheriff resigned, lawmakers passed legislation to prevent another tragic killing, and Massey's family was awarded a multi-million dollar settlement.
And a trial awaits for the man charged with her murder.
Below is a timeline of events from when Massey first called 911.
July 6, 2024 – Massey calls 911
Sonya Massey, 36, called 911 from her Springfield home around 1:20 a.m., reporting a suspected prowler
Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson and an unnamed partner responded
Once they entered her home, Grayson ordered her to drop a boiling pot of water
Massey replied “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” and Grayson fired three shots, hitting her in the head
July 8, 2024 – Identification and administrative leave
The Sangamon County Coroner confirmed Massey’s death was a homicide after she was shot in the head
Both deputies were put on paid administrative leave pending an Illinois State Police investigation
July 10, 2024 – Bodycam video
ISP confirmed a body‑worn camera from the second deputy captured the shooting
July 11 and 12, 2024 – Family hires nationally renowned attorney Ben Crump, community begins protesting
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump was formally retained by Massey’s family
Nearly 100 protesters gathered in front of the Sangamon County Complex demanding justice
July 15, 2024 – Protests continue
A new wave of community protesters returned to the Sangamon County Complex, continuing calls for accountability
July 17, 2024 – Family views bodycam video
Community supporters, led by activist Tiara Standage and Intricate Minds, rally in solidarity with Massey’s family after they watch bodycam footage for the first time
July 18, 2024 – Grayson arrested and terminated, Massey's death gets the attention of state lawmakers
Deputy Sean Grayson was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct
- Grayson was fired from his job with the sheriff's department the same day he was arrested and charged
Illinois lawmakers publicly condemned the shooting, urging new reforms and investigations
July 19, 2024 – Massey funeral
Visitation and a funeral service are held for Massey at Ruby Funeral Services in Springfield and she's laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery
Ben Crump and the family speak before the bodycam video is publicly released
July 22, 2024 – Bodycam footage released to the public
Illinois State Police release the bodycam video, intensifying national scrutiny
A peace march from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church to Comer Cox Park drew hundreds—including family, community leaders, and politicians
July 23 and 24, 2024 – Federal investigation launched and national commentary
July 23: Ben Crump announced the Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation
Investigations uncovered that Grayson had been employed by six different agencies in four years
July 24: President Biden and Vice President Harris formally addressed the shooting
Reports emerged of Grayson’s discharge from the U.S. Army for misconduct
July 25–26, 2024 – Community march and autopsy findings released
July 25: A community march in Springfield demands justice and reform
July 26: The Sangamon County coroner releases the autopsy confirming homicide by gunshot
The Sangamon County Sheriff's Department denied allegations of covering up details, while Massey’s family began sharing personal memories
July 29, 2024 – Fraternal Order of Police and Sangamon County Sheriff make public statements
Illinois Fraternal order of Police clarify who filed a grievance over Grayson's termination
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell addressed the public for the first time since the shooting
July 31, 2024 – Calls for resignation and immunity debate
Several Sangamon County Board members demanded Sheriff Campbell resign over the handling of the shooting
Former President Trump weighed in, questioning broader officer immunity provisions
August 1, 2024 – 911 call released and reform efforts
The 911 calls made by Massey are released
Calls for police reform regain momentum; Sheriff Campbell described Grayson as having “snapped"
August 7–9, 2024 – Illinois Governor demands and sheriff retires
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker publicly called for Campbell’s resignation over Massey’s killing
August 9: Amid intense pressure, Sheriff Campbell announced his retirement
August 12-26 2024 – Election and legal developments
August 12: Sangamon County Board members proposed changes to voter questions post-sheriff retirement
August 13: Recall resolution against officials withdrawn
August 14: Ben Crump and Massey family introduced the draft "Sonya Massey Act" legislation
August 19: Applications opened for interim Sangamon County Sheriff
August 20: Springfield City Council advanced bias training; cemetery accessibility improvements planned
August 26: Grayson’s attorney filed appeal against denial of pretrial release
September–October 2024 – Massey Commission launches and new sheriff appointed
Sept 9: Protesters demand police accountability
Sept 10: Springfield bridge named “Massey Memorial Bridge"
Sept 13–16: Massey Commission officially established and hosted its first public listening session
Sept 17–18: Paula Crouch selected as next county sheriff; Commission amendments discussed
Sept 26: Commission co‑chairs announced, including Massey's cousin
Oct 1 & 21: Hundreds applied to serve; commission held its first official meeting
Oct 21–25: Grayson appeared in court; transferred to the Macon County Jail
Mid–Nov to Dec 2024 – Federal investigation and more legal matters
Nov 15: DOJ launched broader investigation into the Sheriff’s Office and dispatch center
Nov 18: What to expect in any DOJ findings and next steps
- Nov 19: Massey Commission passes resolutions, responds to DOJ investigation into Sangamon County
Dec 2–9: Grayson was briefly granted pre‑trial release then blocked by Illinois Supreme Court
Dec 18: New sheriff implements stricter hiring protocols
January 2025 – Local reforms and legislative pushes
Jan 13: A Sangamon County Court ruled Grayson to remain jailed
Jan 14: Massey Commission submitted hiring recommendations to Sheriff’s Office
Jan 17: DOJ memorandum required increased training, mental health response, data tracking, and community outreach
Jan 28: Illinois Supreme Court considers Grayson appeal on pre-trial release
February to March 2025 – $10 million settlement and continued oversight
Feb 6: State Senator Doris Turner introduced bills addressing systemic policing failures
Feb 8–11: Sangamon County reached and approved a $10 million settlement with Massey’s family, lauded by Ben Crump as a beginning toward justice
Feb 26: Grayson asks to move trial out of Sangamon County
Mar 24: Hearing set for change-of-venue proceedings
April–June 2025 – Commission growth and memorials
- April 3: Sen. Doris Turner's Sonya Massey bills pass committee
April 8–29: Trial moved out of Sangamon County; bills requiring stricter hiring approved; trial timeline released
Commission appointed over 200 community members; first hearings take place
May 14: Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments about Grayson’s continued detention
June 6: Trial preparations begin
June 19: Local artists selected to paint a new bridge mural honoring Sonya Massey
What’s Next
Trial of Sean Grayson is set—pre-trial motions, jury selection, and venue decisions ongoing
Enforcement of federal reforms under the Jan. 17 DOJ agreement
Continued work of the Massey Commission and pending state legislation inspired by the "Sonya Massey Act" and related bills
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
