Sonya Massey’s family reaches $10M settlement over fatal shooting

Sonya Massey’s family has reached a $10 million settlement more than six months after she was shot and killed in her Illinois home by a deputy responding to her call about a possible prowler.

Lawyers for Massey’s family and attorneys for Sangamon County reached the agreement last week after mediation, according to documents obtained by NBC News. The settlement must be approved by the county board, which was scheduled to meet Tuesday evening.

The county’s board chairman, Andy Van Meter, said in a memo to board members obtained by NBC News that the settlement was part of the county’s effort to “address the tragic death of Sonya Massey.”

“The process leading to this settlement unfolded over several days of intensive confidential discussions and negotiations,” Van Meter wrote.

He said the county “is focused on improving its policies and practices through its memorandum of agreement,” reached last month with the U.S. Department of Justice. The sheriff’s department will be monitored by the DOJ for two years.

“The county will continue to work to ensure that its law enforcement and emergency response systems operate effectively, with necessary safeguards in place to prevent future tragedies,” Van Meter wrote.

The memo said the settlement will not result in a tax increase, additional debt or cuts to county services.

Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family, did not immediately return a request for comment. Van Meter’s memo said neither side “was to acknowledge or publicly discuss the settlement until the matter was in front of the full board.”

Massey, 36, was killed in her home in Springfield on July 6 by then-Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. Massey, who had dealt with mental health issues, called 911 because she thought a prowler was outside her home. Grayson and another deputy responded, and their interaction with Massey was captured on body camera footage.

In the video, Massey is shown turning off a burner on her stove and picking up a pot of hot water after one of the deputies told her, “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.”

Massey and the deputies laughed before Massey twice said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” a religious phrase often used casually to ward off danger.

Grayson is heard saying, “You better [expletive] not” before firing three shots at Massey, one of which struck her beneath her left eye.

Her killing was widely condemned, including by Gov. JB Pritzker, and her name joined a growing list of Black people fatally shot in their homes by police, including Botham Jean in September 2018, Atatiana Jefferson in October 2019 and Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson in May 2024.

Grayson subsequently said he had feared for his life. He was fired by the department and indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail.

His attorneys are pushing for his release. An attorney for Grayson declined to comment Monday about the settlement. The other officer has not been publicly identified.

Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned in August amid public outcry. He had hired Grayson knowing that he had twice pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, and that one of those convictions had led to Grayson’s premature discharge from the Army in 2016.

Sangamon County Board Member Sam Cahnman said he expects the 28-member board to approve the settlement.

“I am glad Sonya Massey’s family will get some relief from this nightmare,” he said in a statement. “But no amount of money will bring Sonya back.”