Sangamon County settles with Sonya Massey’s family for $10 million

Posted on February 7, 2025
Sonya Massey (pictured left) called the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Dept. for a report of a prowler. (Photo courtesy: Illinois State Police)

By WMBD TV

SPRINGFIELD – Sangamon County has come to an agreement for a settlement with the family of Sonya Massey.

In a memo obtained by WCIA, county officials said they have negotiated with the family’s lawyers for the past week. Both sides came to an agreement for $10 million.

Sonya Massey, a Black woman facing a mental health crisis, was shot in the head and killed by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson in her own home after calling 911 in July. Body camera footage shows Grayson shot her after Massey moved a pot of boiling water from her stove.

Grayson was fired and charged with first-degree murder. He has since pleaded not guilty. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell retired at the end of August after much criticism from Massey’s family and politicians.

In the memo, Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter said no taxes will be raised, no additional debt will be taken on, and no county services will be cut due to the settlement.

“No price paid can take back the actions of a rogue former deputy, but this agreement is an effort to provide some measure of recompense to the Massey family for their unimaginable loss,” Van Meter said. “The county remains committed to working with the community to strengthen policies to try to ensure tragedies like this never happen again.”

The settlement will be officially approved at the Sangamon County Board meeting Tuesday.

WMBD can be reached at [email protected].

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