The Indianapolis Star

Newly released body camera footage shows police responding to a 911 call about a Springfield woman having a mental breakdown — 16 hours before a sheriff’s deputy would fatally shoot her.

Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with murder in the killing of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman. He has been widely criticized for treating Massey as a dangerous threat, rather than someone in distress.

The 45-minute video, first obtained by The State Journal-Register, shows Springfield Police Department officers arriving at Massey’s mother’s home.

In the video, Massey approaches an officer in a state of apparent distress. She tells police that the water and gas was shut off at her home, and that her belongings are inside her mother’s home.

“I just want my stuff and they won’t give it to me,” she tells them.

The officer meets Donna Massey, Sonya’s mother, at the door.

“She has been going crazy and this is the first time it has ever happened,” Donna Massey tells them.

She claims her daughter had been voluntarily sent to a mental health facility but had checked out within 24 hours, and says she takes antidepressants and has a variety of health conditions. Another individual, identified on camera as Massey’s aunt, tells authorities that she has never seen Massey act like this before.

Officers walk back outside with bags of Massey’s things, as medical personnel arrive. They ask Massey if she’s missed a dose of her medication.

“No, I’m good, nope. They want me to get off track,” Massey replies, though she adds later that she hasn’t taken any medication that day.

She tells police the night before she couldn’t sleep and felt “uncomfortable” and “unsafe” outside her home.

Medical personnel question her, asking what year it is. Massey responds incorrectly at first, saying, “2014,” but then corrects herself, saying, “2024.” She answers their other questions correctly.

Massey repeatedly says that she doesn’t want to speak to any doctors.

Police tell Massey that they don’t have another reason to keep her, grab her belongings and medication and help her into a truck so she can go home.

“We are here to help you,” an officer says at one point.

Just 16 hours later, another call was made that ultimately led to Massey’s fatal shooting.

On July 6, Grayson and another deputy questioned Massey inside her home, after Massey called 911 about a suspected prowler near her residence.

Massey went to the kitchen to turn off a boiling pot of water. As she did, the other deputy moved back and said he was moving “away from your hot steaming water.”

Massey responded to the officer, saying: “I rebuke you, in the name of Jesus.” Grayson, standing across from the kitchen, said, “You better fucking not, or I swear to God, I’ll shoot you in your motherfucking face.”

Massey, still in the kitchen and away from the deputies, ducked and raised her hands.

“OK, I’m sorry!” Massey said to Grayson.

He fired three shots, killing Massey.

Grayson was fired from the department and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

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