The following statements were released following the verdict Tuesday:
State Sen, Doris Turner of Springfield
“While nothing will bring Sonya back, justice has been served. Today's verdict shows that no one is above the law.
“I stand with the Massey family and my community as we continue to mourn the unjust loss of Sonya. Since Sonya’s murder, I’ve been committed to – and will continue to – put in the work to make necessary changes to ensure our community has trust in those who have taken the oath to protect and serve.”
Massey family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci
"While we believe Grayson’s actions deserved a first-degree conviction, today’s verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey. Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost. We will continue to fight for Sonya’s family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force."
“The family extends deep gratitude to Sangamon County State’s Attorney John C. Milhiser and his entire office. They handled the case with professionalism, transparency, and compassion. Prosecuting a police officer is never easy but this team did it with courage and integrity.”
The Massey Commission
Today’s verdict in the State of Illinois v. Sean Grayson brings a breath of hope and a long-delayed whisper of justice. For our community, it is a moment to close our eyes, to draw in the heavy air of truth, and to exhale the breath we have been holding for far too long.
Yet even this verdict cannot mend the wound left by the loss of Sonya Massey, a mother, a daughter, and a beloved community member. Justice, however necessary, can never replace a life. For some, this moment brings relief that the truth was finally recognized. For others, it reopens old pain and reminds us how long the road toward genuine safety and dignity remains.
As a community, we continue to grieve alongside Sonya’s family and each other. This verdict is not the final chapter in the book; it merely turns a page in a book that harmed communities are forced to read with disappointing endings. The moral mandate before us remains unchanged: we must meet grief not with force, not with fear or over-policing, but with care and dignity.
Accountability, without systemic transformation, is not justice. It is only justice when we can truthfully examine the systems that continuously bring us to an all-too-familiar outcome.
We are called now to listen to the pain that persists beyond the courtroom. To learn from what this tragedy exposed about the system and the silence that allowed it to refine itself over generations. And to act with courage, determination, and imagination, so that every person who calls for help is met with dignity, humanity, and respect for their right to life and health.
The work of justice is long. It will take every community member, elected official, faith leader, and business owner to carry it forward. We must channel our emotions and our energy alike into organizing, into care, into the daily labor of building a community worthy of Sonya’s memory.
Let this moment remind us that we are all responsible for one another’s safety. Our task now is to ensure this verdict marks not an ending, but a beginning. A recommitment to a world where care and dignity are not an afterthought, but the foundation
Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher
"Today, the jury returned a verdict of second-degree murder in the case of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.
Sean Grayson did not just murder Sonya, he took away the life the Massey family once knew. My thoughts are with Sonya’s family, friends, and loved ones. Her murder is a tragedy that should never have happened. She called 911 seeking help and compassion and instead lost her life in her own home. No words can ease this pain.
I understand that many in our community may have strong feelings about this outcome. The City of Springfield and our Police Department remain committed to maintaining public trust, transparency, and accountability in all interactions with the residents we serve. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and will continue to review our own policies and training to ensure every person is treated with dignity and respect.
To Sonya’s family, and to all who are grieving, our city stands with you. We share in your sorrow."
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
"Say her name: Sonya Massey.
Sonya Massey's life mattered, and she should be alive today. Though nothing we ever say or do will bring Sonya back, today's verdict is one step closer on the long path towards justice.
Her final moments were a devastating example of how a system meant to protect and serve can fail, but the accountability we saw today is a reminder to keep hope alive for a world where tragedies like Sonya's no longer occur.
I offer my love and continuing prayers to her mother Donna, and Sonya’s entire family as they relive the trauma of her passing yet remain determined to enact change.
May we speak her name and remember her for the fullness of her life: Sonya Massey will not be forgotten."
Yolanda Androzzo, Executive Director of One Aim Illinois
“Today’s verdict brings a measure of justice for the family of Sonya Massey, whose life was taken by a former police officer in a moment that should have been one of protection, not violence.
“No verdict can bring Sonya back, but accountability matters. For too long, Black women and men have been failed by the very systems meant to keep us safe. Her courage in calling for help, and the tragedy that followed, should compel every one of us to reimagine what true public safety looks like.
“Justice must also mean prevention. It means investing in mental health crisis response, trauma-informed training, and community-based systems of care—so that when someone calls for help, they receive the compassion and care they need.
“We continue to hold Sonya’s family and loved ones in our hearts as they grieve and heal. Their strength reminds us why this work cannot stop here. Safety and dignity are owed to everyone in every community, without exception.”
