As more details emerge surrounding the July 6 killing of 36-year-old Sonya Massey, the chilling history of her killer, Sean Grayson, 30, is raising eyebrows over how he was even allowed into the police force in the first place.
According to documents obtained by ABC, Grayson’s history of misconduct didn’t just start when he joined the Sangamon County Police Department. Back in 2016, Grayson was reportedly discharged from the U.S. Army after serving only one year and nine months.
At the time of his discharge, Grayson served as a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) in the U.S. Army. He was never deployed and was ranked as a low-level private first class, according to the documents.
Details about the exact cause of his discharge are protected under the Privacy Act and Department of Defense Policy, according to the Army, but Grayson was released citing “serious misconduct” just four years before applying to became a part-time police officer in the Pawnee Police Department in 2020, reported CNN.
The Root has been keeping a close eye on the Massey case and previously reported on Grayson’s history of six police gigs in only four years. Before joining the police force, Grayson was also charged with two DUIs in August 2015 and July 2016 — during his time in the Army — according to court documents obtained by CNN. Grayson pleaded guilty to both charges, paying over $3,000 in fees.
With all of this in mind, it’s no shock that the family of Massey is questioning how Grayson was allowed to wear a police badge. In an interview with NBC, Massey’s cousin, Shadia Massey said “I feel like he never should’ve been hired.” She continued asking “how did he even...reach this point?”
Massey’s uncle, still grieving the death of his niece, also said “there were so many red flags.”
In July, Massey, a mother of two, was shot in the head and killed in her Illinois home after calling 911 for help. When two officers, including Grayson, arrived at her residence, a short dispute ensued over a pot of water. Grayson then pulled his gun on the unarmed Black woman and fired three shots at her. Grayson failed to render aid to Massey, leaving her to bleed out in her kitchen floor. She was eventually transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Body cam footage of the incident was released to the public last week. Massey’s killing sparked national outrage, including from Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the Guardian, Harris also spoke with Massey’s family to offer her “heartfelt condolences.”
Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Police Department two weeks after Massey’s murder. He has since been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond.