Officer Sean Grayson Charged in Sonya Massey Shooting Had Disciplinary Record

Former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean P. Grayson, who stands accused of fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36 year-old woman, inside her home, boasted a disciplinary record riddled with accusations of bully-like behavior and misuse of power.

Grayson’s Unsettling Patterns

Girard Police Chief Wayman Meredith described Grayson as acting like a bully during a previous encounter in 2023 and expressed concerns over Grayson’s behavior as he was reportedly pushing Meredith to call child services on a woman who happened to be outside of Grayson’s mother’s house.

An audio clip released by the office of the sheriff in Logan County, Illinois, features a supervisor warning Grayson about his lack of integrity, dishonest reports, and misconduct in office. The alleged misconduct took place during Grayson’s employment stint from May 2022 to April 2023.

Aggravated Misconduct Charges

In bodycam footage, Grayson is seen discharging his firearm on the unarmed Massey, resulting in her death. He is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Grayson entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.

Critical Incidents

Grayson had been noted in March 2023 as being extremely angry by the Girard police chief. According to the chief, Grayson was enduring a difficult period in his life as he was newly diagnosed with cancer and his brother had recently died by suicide. More accusations against Grayson lay in a multipage disciplinary file from the office of the Logan County sheriff.

A couple accused Grayson of harassment and misuse of power during a traffic stop. According to their complaint, the woman was asked by Grayson, who was accompanied by another male officer, to remove a bag of illicit substances from her body in their presence. She was later administered to a hospital to undergo a procedure to remove the bag. The woman reported Grayson ignoring her privacy and barging in during her examination, an accusation he denied. The allegations the couple made against Grayson were declared as being without merit and he left his position in Logan County in good standing.

The Shooting Incident

Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office hired Grayson soon after he left Logan County. While employed at Sangamon, Grayson was called to respond to a potential intruder reported by Sonya Massey. On arriving at Massey’s residence, Grayson asked Massey to provide identification and turn off her stove. Massey, who was boiling water at the time, complied with the first officer’s demands but began to pray when Grayson threatened her verbally. The video footage shows Grayson discharging his firearm three times when Massey tried to duck for cover. Grayson defended his action by stating that Massey was planning to throw boiling water on him, a claim that isn’t supported by available video footage.

Grayson had previously admitted to drinking and driving when he was seeking to be employed as a police officer. He served in six different departments during a span of four years and left the Army after 19 months. Grayson’s attorney has declined to comment on his client’s case.

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Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER

NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.