Donna Massey, the mother of shooting victim Sonya Massey, is comforted during a press conference at New Mount Pilgrim Church on July 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Details are being revealed about the calls Sonya Massey and her mom, Donna, made to Illinois police in the hours before her death.
According to CNN, Sonya and her mother made separate calls to 911 on Friday, July 5. The date is hours before Sonya was gunned down in her home by Sangamon deputy Sean Grayson.
The outlet reports that around 9 a.m. on July 5, Donna Massey informed authorities that she believed her daughter was “being sporadic.” Additionally, she explained that she believed Sonya was “having a mental breakdown.” However, she also noted to authorities that her daughter was “not a danger to herself” and not a danger to her.
“When she gets upset, then she thinks everybody’s after her – like paranoid schizophrenic,” Donna explained in audio reportedly reviewed by the outlet. “[Do not send] any combative policemen who are prejudiced, please. I’m scared of the police.”
The outlet reports that Donna also told authorities: “I don’t want you guys to hurt her. Please.”
According to the outlet, around 10 a.m. that same morning, Sonya also spoke with police. She reportedly explained that she didn’t want medical attention. However, around 1 p.m. that day, 911 dispatchers received another call from Sonya’s address. This time, the caller, who dispatchers later noted as Massey, alleged someone had broken her window.
CNN notes that in a “call back,” Sonya also told authorities “her neighbor hit her with a brick.” After a later visit to St. John’s hospital, Sonya reportedly admitted to breaking her window herself.
In addition, the outlet adds that she also contacted authorities on July 4. In that call, Massey reportedly alleged people “were trying to hurt her” before she later rejected officers being dispatched.
Additionally, ABC 7 Chicago has published audio of Sonya’s fated call to police made in the early hours of Saturday, July 6.
“I keep hearing stuff outside of my house, and, um, it sounds like somebody is banging on the side of my house,” Sonya explained to dispatchers.
The attorney for Sonya’s family, Ben Crump, has issued a statement. Crump reacted to the details and audio of Sonya and Donna’s 911 calls being released.
“The 911 calls capture the heartbreaking pleas of Sonya’s mother who desperately sought help for her daughter while expressing her deep fears about the potential for violence at the hands of the police. Despite these warnings, Sonya, a woman struggling with her mental health, was met with deadly force in her own home,” he stated. “Sonya needed compassion and support. Instead, she was met with a gunshot to the face by a deputy whose actions have now led to charges of first-degree murder…This case is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and better training for handling mental health crises. No family should ever have to endure such a preventable tragedy…”
According to AP News, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department “is still trying to determine” if Sonya’s mental health issues were conveyed to officers before they arrived at her home. Meanwhile, the department’s sheriff, Jack Campbell, has broken his silence on the tragic shooting and addressed calls for him to resign.
