A former Illinois deputy was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2024 shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman with mental health issues who had called 911.

In the July 2024 shooting death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman with mental health issues who had called 911 out of fear of a prowler, former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder. Body camera footage showed Grayson and another deputy entering Massey’s home, where she became agitated and picked up a pot, prompting Grayson to shoot her, claiming he feared being scalded. Despite being accused of first-degree murder, he was found guilty of the lesser charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and permits probation. A $10 million settlement, a U.S. Justice Department investigation, reforms like required de-escalation training, and a new Illinois law requiring transparency in law enforcement hiring were all the results of the verdict's widespread outcry. Since his arrest, Grayson has been detained. Thursday is the day for sentencing.