SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A former sheriff’s deputy in Illinois faces sentencing on Thursday after being found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had dialed 911 seeking assistance.

Sean Grayson, 31, who was convicted in October, could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years, though probation remains a possibility. Since his arrest for the killing, Grayson has been held in custody.

The incident occurred in the early hours of July 6, 2024, when Massey, who was dealing with mental health challenges, called emergency services, fearing an intruder was outside her Springfield residence.

Body camera footage reveals that Grayson and Deputy Dawson Farley, who faced no charges, inspected Massey’s yard before approaching her at the front door. Massey, appearing disoriented, repeatedly uttered, “Please, God.”

Once inside her home, Grayson observed a pot on the stove and instructed Farley to move it. Instead, Massey approached the stove, picked up the pot, and teased Grayson for backing away from what she referred to as “the hot, steaming water.”

From this moment, the exchange quickly escalated.

Massey said: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Grayson drew his sidearm and yelled at her to drop the pan. She set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. But she appeared to pick it up again.

That’s when Grayson opened fire on the 36-year-old single mother, shooting her in the face. He testified that he feared Massey would scald him.

Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which could have led to a life sentence, but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge. Illinois allows for a second-degree murder conviction if evidence shows the defendant honestly thought he was in danger, even if that fear was unreasonable.

Massey’s family was outraged by the jury’s decision.

“The justice system did exactly what it’s designed to do today. It’s not meant for us,” her cousin Sontae Massey said after the verdict.

Massey’s killing raised new questions about U.S. law enforcement shootings of Black people in their homes. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump negotiated a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County for Massey’s relatives.

The case also generated a U.S. Justice Department inquiry that was settled when the county agreed to implement more de-escalation training; collect more use-of-force data; and forced the sheriff who hired Grayson to retire. The case also prompted a change in Illinois law requiring fuller transparency on the backgrounds of candidates for law enforcement jobs.