Body camera footage released on Monday captures the tragic incident, showing former deputy Sean Grayson, 30, ordering Massey to put down a pot of boiling water. Massey, a mother of two, responded by saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” before apologizing. She poured the water into the sink and ducked behind a counter. Despite not being a threat, Grayson shot Massey three times in the face.
An Illinois State Police review concluded that Grayson’s use of deadly force was unjustified. Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in Massey’s death.
Grayson’s job history reveals frequent changes in employment. He has worked in four police departments and two sheriff’s offices across Illinois over the past four years. His shortest stint was with the Kincaid Police Department, where he worked for just over three months before being “let go” for not meeting residency requirements. His longest tenure was at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, lasting a year and two months, until his termination following Massey’s death.
Grayson also held part-time positions at the Pawnee Police Department and Virden Police Department, and full-time roles at the Auburn Police Department and Logan County Sheriff’s Office. His reasons for leaving these positions were mostly listed as “resigned” or “other.”
In a statement, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell confirmed Grayson’s firing, citing that Grayson did not act as trained or in accordance with the department’s standards.
Massey’s father, James Wilburn, expressed concerns about Grayson’s unstable employment history, questioning how someone with such a record could continue working in law enforcement.
