IL - Sonya Massey Shot To Death In Her Own Home by Sangamon County Deputy After Calling to Report a Prowler, Springfield 6 July 2024

[tlcya]

On July 6, at 12:50 a.m. Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue in Springfield.

During the incident, Massey was shot and later pronounced deceased at an area hospital.
[snip]
In a statement by Ben Crump, he says “It is extremely hard to imagine how a woman who calls the police out of fear of an intruder ends up shot in the head by the police at her own home. We demand that all body camera footage from this incident be released immediately so that Sonya’s family and the public can see what happened in those thirty deadly minutes. No family should have to endure the pain and suffering that Sonya’s loved ones are experiencing right now.”
Attorney Ben Crump Retained by Family of Sonya Massey

As funeral arrangements were announced for Sonya Massey for July 19, the Illinois State Police on Wednesday announced it would not immediately be releasing additional information on the shooting of the Springfield woman.

Massey, 36, was fatally shot by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputies early Saturday morning at her home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue following a 911 call reporting an intruder.

Supporters of Massey will be staging a protest in front of the Sangamon County Building (Ninth Street side) at 9 a.m. Friday.
6 unanswered questions in the fatal shooting of a Springfield woman by local deputies

"There's no body cam footage, being released, there's no information being released right now," said Standage. "So it just leads to speculation and I think that the Sangamon County Sheriff's and the police department, they need to come forward with the information about what happened to Sonya Massey."
Community members want answers after woman shot by deputies

Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey
February 12, 1988 - July 6, 2024

Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey 36, departed this life on July 6, 2024 at HSHS St. John's Hospital. She was born February 12, 1988 in San Diego, CA, the daughter of Donna Massey and James Wilburn.

She was a member of Second Timothy Baptist Church. She was a very devoted mother. She loved to do hair and spend time with her family. Sonya retired from J& J Gaming in Springfield, IL.

She was preceded in death by; grandparents; Raymond(Jeanette)Massey and Felix(Hattie) Wilburn.

She leaves to cherish memories; son; Malachi Hill Massey of Springfield, IL, daughter; Jeanette Massey of Springfield,IL, mother; Donna Massey of Springfield, IL, father; James(Renee) Wilburn, sister; Eva Wilburn, Khadijh Wilburn-Allen, and Breeanna(Joe)Toles and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Funeral Services Friday July 19, 2024
Visitation:9:00am-10:00am
Service:10:00am-11:00am
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
1520 East Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Pastor Cary Beckwith Officiating
Obituary for Sonya Lynaye Wilburn-Massey at Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories, Inc.

https://www.facebook.com/sangamoncountysheriff/posts/pfbid02PF3vSijFyvgmBBsyaxsjj4taBQyNBBALHB5cA2T239pMMM17jEKYwjreTgSHGs6ml

RIH Ms. Massey This happened blocks away from my elderly mother's home. The area has experienced quite a bit of crime in recent years. Prowler calls are not unusual. The homeowner who called police for help ending up dead by LEO, that is unusual. I look forward to the Illinois State Police investigation results and cannot understand why it is taking them so long to release it. They have body cam footage. I understand why folks in my area are upset and demanding answers. From what little has been released, this NEVER should have happened.

 

[tlcya]

Six unanswered questions about the investigation
In the aftermath of the shooting, The State Journal-Register submitted a number of questions to Sangamon County and State Police that remain unanswered. Additional questions also have surfaced.

Was Massey struck by gunfire inside her home?
How many sheriff's deputies fired shots and approximately how many rounds?
Did the 911 call come from inside the home and did Massey place the call?
Was anyone else present before two sheriff's deputies arrived?
Were any other weapons found on the scene?
Did sheriff's deputies determine that Massey was the resident before or after shots were fired?
6 unanswered questions in the fatal shooting of a Springfield woman by local deputies

 

[tlcya]

MSN

Illinois woman who called sheriff's office over possible intruder killed by deputies, attorney says

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

outrageous. Shame not getting more coverage.

 

[Kakidoll]

Ben Crump, already the mouthpiece. That didn't take long.

 

[tlcya]

they are releasing the body cam footage to Crump and the family prior to releasing it to the public.

When I say things are tense in town, I mean T E N S E.

Meanwhile her cousin gave an interview a few days back:

As recently as two weeks ago, Sonya Massey was acting “extremely paranoid” and had voiced concerns for months “about being killed by the police,” her cousin, Sontae Massey, told Illinois Times.
Protestors demand release of video in Black woman's death

A protest organizer verified that family members of Sonya Massey, a Black woman fatally shot by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputies in her home July 6, are meeting with Illinois State Police officials Wednesday to view officers' body camera footage and the details of the case.
As protests go on, Massey's family expected to view body cam footage with State Police

I really hope people remain calm. I don't know if Ms. Massey was experiencing a mental health issue, or if an over anxious deputy went off half cocked, but I know that transparency is needed and prayers for her family. From all accounts she was well loved by neighbors, friends and family.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

no one deserves to die like this. No One.

ETA: IMO, of course.

 

[tlcya]

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office said Illinois State Police completed its investigation into Sonya Massey's death, and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney has filed charges against deputy Sean Grayson.

Grayson has been indicted and charged on three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, according to attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family. NPR Illinois obtained a statement from Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, confirming those charges.

Grayson was also terminated, the sheriff's office said.
[snip]
"This news is a step toward justice for Sonya's loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since they were notified of this tragedy," Crump said. "We remain committed to uncovering the truth of what happened and identifying the failures that allowed this tragic death to occur."

The sheriff’s office said Grayson’s alleged actions “do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole.”
Charges filed against Illinois deputy in death of Sonya Massey

Body camera footage will be released at 10 a.m. Monday, Mr. Milhiser said. Ms. Massey’s family viewed the footage on Wednesday at the state’s attorney’s office. Mr. Milhiser declined to comment beyond his public statement Wednesday evening.
Sheriff’s Deputy Faces Charges in Death of Illinois Woman

https://www.facebook.com/sangamoncountysheriff/posts/pfbid0Rc1GsCpi9NLZLbB9ukuFgZuaetquNCndD6xAADRCapGQfXighsbz3jm4bnrBZdzAl

Milhiser said the footage will be released to the public Monday, July 22. "Nothing has been redacted, except for the blurring of certain images, which was done out of respect for Ms. Massey and her family," he said.

Massey lived in the 2800 block of S. Hoover Ave. in unincorporated Springfield. She had called 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity near her home.
Sangamon County deputy indicted for murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey

I am pleased, both with the charges and with how the citizens of my city have behaved in the wake of this tragic murder. Aside from some stupidity on social media, where people are spreading untrue rumors to try to fan flames of discord, people are united in seeing justice done and pleased to see these charges levied against Mr. Grayson.

#IstandwithSonya