Before her Daughter's Fatal Shooting, Sonya Massey's mother Called 911 and Urged the Police not to Cause her any Harm

In a series of events that culminated in tragedy, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Springfield, Illinois, lost her life in a confrontation with law enforcement on July 6. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny of police procedures and mental health response protocols.

Records released on Wednesday reveal a complex narrative leading up to Massey's death. In the days prior, three emergency calls were made from her residence. Two of these calls, made by unidentified women, reported potential threats. The third call, made by Massey's mother, Donna Massey, explicitly mentioned her daughter's mental health struggles.

Donna Massey's call to 911 stands out for its poignant plea. She described her daughter as experiencing a "mental breakdown" and implored the dispatcher, "I don't want you guys to hurt her." Her request for non-prejudiced officers underscores the delicate nature of the situation and the family's apprehension about law enforcement involvement.

The Sangamon County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating whether Massey's history of mental health issues was communicated to the deputies who responded to the final call about a suspected prowler on July 6.

The fatal encounter involved Sean Grayson, a 30-year-old white former sheriff's deputy. Grayson now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He has entered a plea of not guilty and is being held without bond.

Sheriff Jack Campbell has released Grayson's personnel file, shedding light on his background. The file confirms Campbell's prior knowledge of Grayson's two DUI convictions within a year, which led to his early discharge from the Army. Campbell defended the hiring decision, stating that DUIs do not automatically disqualify candidates.

Grayson's psychological evaluation, conducted on March 31, 2023, deemed him fit for duty but noted his tendency to "move too fast at times," advising him to "slow down to make good decisions."

Body camera footage from the incident paints a distressing picture. Massey greeted the deputies with "Don't hurt me," appeared disoriented, and repeatedly said, "Please, God." Inside her home, she struggled to locate her ID and requested her Bible.

The situation escalated rapidly when Massey, following Grayson's instruction to remove a pot from the stove, said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson then drew his weapon and ordered her to drop the pot before firing three times, striking her below the left eye.

An internal investigation found that Grayson violated multiple department rules, including use of force protocols and standards of conduct. Chief Deputy Anthony Mayfield's report criticized Grayson's immediate escalation to deadly force, noting that Massey was not displaying aggressive behavior at the time.

Family members have disclosed that Massey had been grappling with mental health issues and had recently sought treatment. Her son, Malachi Hill Massey, revealed that she had checked into a 30-day inpatient program just days before the incident.

This tragic event raises critical questions about law enforcement's approach to mental health crises and the urgent need for improved training and protocols. As the investigation continues, the community awaits answers and hopes for meaningful changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.