The Justice Department announced this week that there was no discriminatory act behind last year's fatal shooting by an Illinois sheriff's deputy. Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman, called 911 when she thought there was a loiter outside her home.
Still, the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office and emergency dispatch operations must review and update their policies and training as part of an agreement that concluded the department's civil rights investigation into the county's practices. Counties also need to create a mobile crisis management team that includes trained behavioral health staff.
Federal authorities launched an investigation after Massey, 36, was killed in his home on July 6, 2024, after an exchange with responding deputies over a pot of boiling water.
The white sheriff's deputy involved in the killing, Sean Grayson, was fired and charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty.
In a statement Friday after announcing the agreement with the Department of Justice, Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch said: We always recognize that there is room for improvement. ”
An attorney for Massey's family did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Massey's mother, Donna Massey, had called 911 the day before the shooting asking for help. She told the dispatcher her daughter was having a mental breakdown and was in a vulnerable state, according to a recording of the call.
“Please don't hurt her,” Donna Massey said in a phone call around 9 a.m. July 5.
The Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office announced in July that evidence showed Grayson was “not justified in using deadly force.”
Body camera footage showed Grayson and another deputy arriving at Massey's home and searching the front and backyard of the home after Massey reported the loitering person. Then they knocked on her door and told her they couldn't find anyone outside.
According to the video, the officers followed her inside and asked her for identification as she sat on a couch. Mr. Massey then stood up and removed the pot of hot water from the stove.
“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey said twice while handling a pot a few feet away from the deputies.
Grayson yelled at her, telling her to “stop,” and threatening to shoot her in the face. The man then pulled out a gun, ordered her to drop the pot and fired at least two shots, the video shows.
Massey was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Illinois State Police said.
Jack Campbell, the Sangamon County Sheriff at the time of the shooting, resigned the following month amid calls from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and public demands for his resignation.
According to personnel records released by the county, Campbell has Grayson's two prior convictions for driving under the influence, including the conviction that led to his early discharge in February 2016. The company is said to have hired him knowing this.
The Department of Justice said its review of media coverage of the shooting has raised “serious concerns” about the county sheriff's office's interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disorders.
The department launched an investigation two months ago that also took a closer look at the county and central emergency dispatch systems for possible violations of federal anti-discrimination policies.
The county, located in central Illinois and whose largest city is Springfield, said it welcomed the federal government's review.
During the investigation, federal authorities sought to learn more about how the sheriff's office trains and responds to calls about people experiencing behavioral health crises. They also asked for data disaggregated by race on use of force, traffic and pedestrian stops.
Sangamon County did not admit liability As part of the Justice Department's resolution, the sheriff's office will hold more community forums and expand assistance programs. We also need to collect better data on episodes involving use of force and people with disabilities.
“Sonya Massey's death was a terrible tragedy for the woman who experienced a mental health crisis, her family, and the entire Sangamon County community,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark said in a statement. . “This agreement reflects Sangamon County's commitment to taking action and implementing reforms that will help improve public safety going forward and restore trust with our community.”
Sheriff Crouch said these reforms would lead to greater transparency and accountability.
President Biden said in July that his “heart breaks” for Massie's family.
