The family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman fatally shot by police in Illinois, will receive a $10 million settlement from Sangamon County, their attorney announced Wednesday.
Massey, 36, was killed in July 2024 when Deputy Sean Grayson, a white officer, fired three shots at her, striking her once in the face. Massey had called 911 about a suspected intruder in her Springfield home.
“The $10 million settlement is a step toward justice, but accountability must go further. A cop with a troubled past shouldn’t have been hired, let alone taken Sonya’s life,” the family’s attorney, Ben Crump, posted on X.
Grayson was fired from the sheriff’s office in July and later charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail awaiting trial.
In August, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned following Grayson’s dismissal and charges. The Illinois State Police released video footage of the shooting, fueling comparisons to other high-profile police killings of Black Americans.
Massey, a mother of two teenagers, joins a growing list of victims in police brutality cases, including George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Roger Fortson—cases also represented by Crump.
Her death reignited calls for police reform, with activists demanding stronger hiring policies and legislative action to prevent similar tragedies.
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