ABC News has learned from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board that the individual who shot Sonya Massey, a former sheriff’s deputy, has held six different police jobs since 2020. Massey had called for help and was killed in her Illinois home.
On Monday, body camera footage was released revealing former deputy Sean Grayson shouting at Tanisha Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother of two, to drop a pot of boiling hot water. It is important to note that Massey was unarmed during this altercation.
Illinois State Police conducted a review and concluded that Grayson’s use of deadly force was not justified.
Grayson, a white individual, has entered a plea of not guilty to three charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in relation to Massey’s death.
According to records from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), Grayson, who is 30 years old, held a total of six positions in the past four years. These roles included full-time and part-time positions in four police departments and two sheriff’s offices, all located within the state of Illinois.
According to records, Grayson worked at three different police departments in 2021. His tenure at the Kincaid Police Department was the shortest, lasting only three months. While the records indicate that he left for “other” reasons, no further details were provided.
Grayson was employed at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office for a year and two months, marking his longest tenure at any workplace. Sadly, Grayson was terminated from his position at Sangamon County last week, following the death of Massey.
From August 2020 to July 2021, Grayson was employed part-time at the Pawnee Police Department, and his reason for leaving is simply listed as “other.” In addition, he worked part-time at the Kincaid Police Department from February to May of 2021.
According to ABC News, the Kincaid Police Department reported that Grayson was released from his position by the Village of Kincaid board after he declined to reside within a 10-mile radius of the village. The department further stated that no grievances were filed against Grayson during his tenure with the Kincaid police, and no disciplinary measures were taken against him.
From May to December 2021, he was employed part-time by the Virden Police Department, while he served full-time at the Auburn Police Department from July 2021 to May 2022. According to the records, he resigned from both the departments.
In May 2022, Grayson started working at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office on a full-time basis. However, he resigned in April 2023. Later that same month, he got hired by the Sangamon Sheriff’s Office, where he worked until his recent termination.
ABC News is currently in the process of gathering more information regarding Grayson’s employment background.
Sheriff Jack Campbell stated that Sean Grayson’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office has been terminated due to his failure to act in accordance with their standards and training. Campbell expressed his disappointment with Grayson’s actions, making it evident that the deputy’s behavior was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
James Wilburn, Massey’s father, raised doubts about Grayson’s work experience.
According to ABC News, Wilburn raised a significant concern over the hiring process of law enforcement after learning about the history of the officer involved in the incident. “The biggest question is: How did this man ever get hired in law enforcement?” he said. Wilburn highlighted the double standards in the hiring process where Black men face rejections due to minor credit issues, yet the officer in question managed to secure six different jobs in just four years.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Wilburn expressed his disapproval of Sheriff Campbell’s involvement in Grayson’s employment and demanded that he resign from his position.
Wilburn expressed his disappointment towards the sheriff, calling him an embarrassment. He firmly believes that Grayson should not have been given a badge, a gun or the opportunity to take the life of his child.
In an interview with ABC News, Campbell made it clear that he has no intention of resigning.
Massey’s family is being represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who firmly believes that Grayson must be held accountable for what he did.
During an interview with ABC News, Crump expressed his concern over the incident involving Sonya Massey, stating that what she needed was a helping hand, not a bullet to the face. He emphasized that the approach of shooting first and asking questions later should not be continued, especially when it involves Black people.
