The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the killing of Sonya Massey, a Black woman shot by a white police officer in July after calling to report a prowler outside her home.
In a letter to Illinois’ Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the DOJ said the shooting raised “serious concerns about SCSO’s interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disabilities.”
The DOJ added that the incident has raised concerns about the “policies, practices, procedures, and training regarding community policing, bias-free policing, response to behavioral health crises, use of force, de-escalation” at the sheriff’s office.
The DOJ has requested copies of all documents related to Massey’s case, including phone logs, dispatch records, recordings, body camera footage and a list of all personnel who responded to the scene. The SCSO has until Dec.14 to provide the requested documents.
Massey was fatally shot by deputy Sean Grayson in July.
When officers arrived, Massey opened her door and immediately said, “Don’t hurt me.”
Once inside the home, Grayson pointed to a pot sitting on a flame on the stove and said, “We don’t need a fire while we’re here.”
Massey moved the pot near a sink before she said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
“You better (expletive) not or I swear to God I’ll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face,” Grayson responded before he pulled out his 9mm pistol and demanded Massey drop the pot.
“OK, I’m sorry,” Massey responded. Grayson’s pointed his weapon at Massey as she ducked and raised her hands.
Though Grayson was still in the living room, with a counter between himself and Massey, he shot her three times. One hit her in the head, a fatal blow.
After Grayson shot her, he tried to discourage his partner from providing first aid to Massey.
“You can go get it, but that’s a headshot,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do, man.”
In its letter to the county, the DOJ demands to know if the sheriff’s office has strategies in place for responding to people in “behavioral health crises.”
Just one day before the shooting, Massey’s mother had called the police department asking for help as her mother was having a mental breakdown.
The DOJ is also investigating the county’s central emergency dispatch system for violations of federal nondiscrimination policies.
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office said Grayson had not been “justified in his use of deadly force.” He has been fired from the department and charged with murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty.
