In the weeks following Sonya Massey’s tragic death at the hands of an Illinois police officer, new details have emerged about another police shooting in the state that resulted in the death of a 4-year-old boy, who was reportedly her younger cousin.
Sean Grayson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in connection with Massey’s death. Bodycam footage released last week shows the former sheriff’s deputy shooting an unarmed Massey, who was cowering in fear in her Springfield home.
Just four months before Massey’s death, a four-year-old named Terrell Miller was fatally shot by a police officer in western Illinois. Several social media posts have drawn comparisons between the deaths of Massey and Miller, with some alleging they were related.
Terrell was killed on March 16 at his home in Macomb, about 84 miles from Springfield. Police were called to his mother’s apartment that night due to a domestic dispute that escalated into a hostage situation. Bodycam footage shows two officers breaking down the door after hearing screams for help. Inside, they found Terrell’s mother, Keianna Miller, with multiple stab wounds. The officers escorted Keianna out while her alleged attacker, 57-year-old Anthony George, retreated to Terrell’s bedroom, using the child as a human shield and holding knives to his neck and waist.
The situation escalated when one officer fired a shot that passed through Terrell’s head and into George’s neck, killing both instantly. Terrell’s attorney stated that only 16 seconds passed between the officers entering the apartment and the fatal shot being fired. She criticized the officers for not attempting de-escalation or negotiation tactics.
Unlike in Massey’s case, the officer who shot Terrell was not criminally charged. The Illinois State Police’s investigation findings were turned over to a special prosecutor, who decided against filing charges. McDonough County state prosecutors sought an external review to avoid conflict of interest. Special prosecutor Jonathan H. Barnard reviewed the case and concluded that there was no basis for criminal action against the officers involved.
Terrell’s mother, Keianna Miller, expressed her grief and frustration, stating that her son would have turned five on July 18. She told an NPR affiliate that while her family knows Massey’s family, they are not biologically related. Miller encouraged the Macomb community to continue protesting for justice for Terrell and Massey.
Years ago, Miller had a premonition that her son would die at the hands of the police. At a Black Lives Matter event in 2020, she shared her recurring dream about police killing her and her son. Miller also recounted an incident when she was pregnant with Terrell, where a police officer allegedly expressed eagerness to arrest her unborn son.
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Miller’s attorney, Marleen Suarez, claimed the officer who shot Terrell acted recklessly and urged authorities to reopen the investigation. She stated that they intend to hold the Macomb Police Department accountable for Terrell’s death and will pursue civil remedies.
