The mother of Sonya Massey, a Black woman fatally shot by an Illinois sheriff's deputy, had pleaded with 911 dispatchers not to send prejudiced officers, newly released records reveal. Donna Massey reported her daughter was having a 'mental breakdown' and said, 'I don't want you guys to hurt her.' She specifically asked that no 'combative policemen that are prejudiced' be dispatched.
The Sangamon County sheriff's department released audio of two emergency calls made from Massey's home in the days before her death, as well as a third call from her mother. In other calls, a woman reported that people wanted to hurt her, and later Massey herself said a neighbour had struck her with a brick. The department is investigating whether her mental health history was communicated to responding deputies.
Sean Grayson, 30, a white former deputy, faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty. Body camera footage shows Massey greeting officers with 'Don't hurt me' and appearing confused. When she said 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus' after being told to remove a pot from the stove, Grayson pulled his gun and fired three times, striking her below the left eye.
Sheriff Jack Campbell released Grayson's personnel file, which revealed two drink-driving convictions and a rapid job history. Campbell said the DUIs were not disqualifying and that Grayson's ambition was commendable. However, an internal investigation found Grayson violated use-of-force rules, failed to activate his body camera, and did not provide medical aid. The chief deputy noted that Massey 'was not making any aggressive movements, only talking' when Grayson escalated to deadly force.
Massey's family said she had mental health struggles and had recently entered a 30-day treatment programme but returned home early. Her son Malachi stated she sent her children to live with their fathers before the incident.
