Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy whose fatal shooting of Sonya Massey inside her home became a flashpoint over police use of force, has died in prison while serving a 20-year sentence, his lawyer says.
Key facts
- Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy, died on Sunday while in prison, according to his lawyer, NPR reported.
- He was serving a 20-year prison sentence over the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.
- Grayson was undergoing treatment for cancer, according to the BBC.
- The shooting occurred inside Massey's home and became a flashpoint over police use of force, according to NPR and the BBC.
Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy whose fatal shooting of Sonya Massey inside her home became a flashpoint over police use of force, died on Sunday while serving a 20-year prison sentence, NPR reported, citing his lawyer.
Grayson had been serving the sentence in connection with the killing of Massey, a case the BBC said reignited debate over police brutality in the United States.
According to the BBC, the former officer was undergoing treatment for cancer.
NPR reported that the shooting, which took place inside Massey’s home, became a flashpoint over police use of force. His death on Sunday was reported by NPR, which attributed the confirmation to his lawyer.
Why it matters
The killing of Sonya Massey featured in debates over police use of force in the United States, according to NPR and the BBC. The death of the former deputy convicted over the shooting marks the end of the criminal case against him.
Frequently asked questions
How did Sean Grayson die?
According to the BBC, Grayson was undergoing treatment for cancer. He died Sunday while serving his prison sentence, according to his lawyer.
What sentence was Sean Grayson serving?
Grayson was serving a 20-year prison sentence in connection with the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, according to NPR.
Why did the Sonya Massey case draw national attention?
The fatal shooting of Massey inside her home became a flashpoint over police use of force and reignited debate about police brutality in the United States, according to NPR and the BBC.