Sonya Massey’s family said she called 911 to report a potential home intruder the night she was shot and killed by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy. However, Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, also made a call to 911 that same day that puts her daughter’s death in a a chilling new context.
In the newly released recording from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department, Donna appears to be reporting a mental crisis on behalf of her daughter the morning before the shooting. She described Massey to be experiencing a mental breakdown but noted she did not pose a danger to herself or anyone else.
On the tape, Donna asks the dispatcher to send mental health assistance to her daughter’s home.
“The mental people told me to 911 but, I don’t want you guys to hurt her please,” Donna says in the recording. “Please don’t send no combative policemen that are prejudiced please. They’re scary. I’m scared of the police.”
Donna previously told CBS Evening News her daughter was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia just two days before the shooting after showing concerning symptoms. Her son, Malachi, told the outlet he didn’t know what “set her off.”
An hour after the call was made, CNN reports Massey met the responding officers and stated she did not want to speak to medical professionals or seek treatment. The same day, another call went out from Massey reporting that someone broke her window, the report says. She also told dispatchers her neighbor hit her with a brick.
However, after eventually seeking treatment at St. John’s Hospital, police said Massey admitted to breaking her own window and appeared to be showing symptoms of a mental crisis.
In the call made the night of the shooting, Massey told the dispatchers of her suspicions of a potential intruder.
“I keep hearing stuff on the outside of the house. It sounds like someone was banging on the outside of my house. I don’t know. Could y’all come and see?” Massey says.
The Fatal Shooting
Roughly thirty minutes later, two Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies arrive at the home and clear the area of any prowlers, per the body camera footage. In the videos, former deputy Sean Grayson is seen asking Massey if she needed any mental help to which she declined but mentioned taking medication.
It’s unclear if the officers were notified of the prior mental crisis call made by Massey’s mother. Grayson and the other officer then entered the home after asking her for identification, per the video.
After Grayson pointed out a pot of boiling water on the stove, Massey is seen in the video going toward the kitchen. When the second officer made a comment about the water, Massey told them, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson then drew his gun, ordering Massey to drop the water.
She ducked down and then appeared to toss the water on the floor. Milliseconds later, Grayson shot at her three times, fatally striking her in the face. He then refused to provide aid, telling his partner there was nothing they could do for her, per the video.
Massey’s family said in a recent press conference they were originally told she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It wasn’t until hours later were they told it was a deputy-involved shooting.
“I was one of the first people on the scene to that accident. I was called that night to pick her up. I’m confused how they confused a suicide and a murder,” said one family member during a press conference. “So when the sergeant showed up in that room and the deputy told him, ‘I shot her,’ how does it get to the hospital and to me that it was a suicide?
Grayson is facing criminal charges including first-degree, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.
