Sonya Massey killed by Illinois deputy amid mental health crisis
Illinois deputy charged with murder in fatal shooting of Sonya Massey
In the days leading up to the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy, several 911 calls were made by Massey and her mother, seeking help and asking police not to harm her, according to dispatch records.
The recently released emergency response calls reveal that law enforcement was aware of Massey’s mental health crisis before the shooting, which has sparked national outrage. Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was killed in her Springfield home on 6 July. Sean Grayson, the 30-year-old Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy involved, has been dismissed from his position and was indicted on 17 July on three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without pretrial release, court records show.
GRAPHIC VIDEO | Officials release video of officer fatally shooting 26-year-old Sonya Massey in her home after she called 911
Sonya Massey was shot in the face by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson. Grayson, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other… pic.twitter.com/c5xkBzwJOm
— Bobby Ellison (@BobbyEllisonKY) July 23, 2024
“(Sonya Massey) called for help and we failed,” said Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell during a community meeting in Springfield on Monday.
Dispatch records indicate that on 5 July, Massey and her mother, Donna Massey, made separate 911 calls. Donna Massey informed the dispatcher that her daughter was experiencing a mental breakdown but was not dangerous. “I don’t want you guys to hurt her,” she pleaded.
The sheriff’s department did not comment on whether the responding officers on 6 July were aware of Massey’s mental health situation.
Two Sangamon County deputies responded to Massey’s house early on 6 July after she called 911, reporting a possible prowler. Body-camera footage shows Massey exhibiting signs of mental health issues, having trouble understanding and answering questions. When asked about her mental state, she mentioned taking her medication.
At a news conference, the Massey family and their attorney Ben Crump highlighted her mental health struggles. “She needed a helping hand,” Crump stated. “She didn’t need a bullet to the face.”
Massey’s death recalls other cases of Black women killed by police in their homes, such as Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson. Crump connected her death to broader issues of police violence against Black individuals in the US.
On 5 July, Donna Massey reported her daughter’s mental breakdown around 9 a.m., clarifying that Sonya Massey was not a danger to herself or others. “When she gets upset, then she thinks everybody’s after her – like paranoid schizophrenic,” Donna Massey explained, also expressing fear of prejudiced police officers.
By 10 a.m., Sonya Massey informed responding officers she did not want medical help. EMTs and behavioural health workers on the scene cleared her. Shortly before 1 p.m., another 911 call was made, with a distressed female voice yelling about a broken window. Massey later told the dispatcher her neighbour hit her with a brick. The record indicates Massey had interacted with mobile crisis units three times in the prior two weeks.
At St. John’s Hospital, Massey admitted to breaking her window, appearing to have mental health issues, as noted by a sheriff’s deputy. She showed paperwork from a 3 July interaction with the mobile crisis unit.
Authorities also released a 911 call from 4 July, where an unidentified caller reported people trying to hurt her but then retracted the need for police. It remains unclear if there were more 911 calls related to Massey. The audio from the 6 July call was not released.
On the night of the shooting, about 30 minutes passed between Massey’s 911 call and the shooting, according to the call for service detail report.
Body-camera footage shows Grayson and another deputy speaking calmly with Massey in her home. Massey picked up a pot of boiling water, prompting one deputy to step back. Massey then said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson responded with a threat before drawing his firearm.
GRAPHIC VIDEO | Officials release video of officer fatally shooting 26-year-old Sonya Massey in her home after she called 911
Sonya Massey was shot in the face by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson. Grayson, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other… pic.twitter.com/c5xkBzwJOm
— Bobby Ellison (@BobbyEllisonKY) July 23, 2024
As Massey lifted the pot, both deputies yelled at her to drop it. Three shots were fired. After a brief silence, one deputy reported the shooting and called for medical services. Grayson commented on not wanting boiling water thrown at him and noted the water landed near their feet.
Grayson did not activate his body camera until after the shooting, while the other deputy had activated his upon arrival, the documents state.
Experts cited by CNN suggest officers are trained to recognize potential mental health crises and should use skills to resolve such situations with minimal violence. The International Association of Chiefs of Police notes officers are not expected to diagnose but should recognize indicative behaviours of someone in crisis.
Massey’s family is calling for an investigation into Grayson’s hiring, citing concerns over his employment history. Grayson worked at six police departments in four years since 2020 and had prior DUI charges. His personnel files revealed deficiencies in safety skills and training.
Grayson’s psychological evaluation for the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office noted his tendency to rush and need for better decision-making but concluded he was a suitable fit for the position.
