Sonya Massey Killing: Records Reveal Illinois Cops Asked Dispatch to Search Case Records for Mental Health Issues After Shooting

New developments in the Sonya Massey killing case shows cops asked dispatch about records concerning mental health issues for Massey after she was shot, according to authorities.

On July 6, Massey, 36, was reportedly shot by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson after Massey called 911 about a possible intruder.

Following the deadly officer-involved shooting, officials did not initially make clear to the victim's family members that she had been shot by a deputy. County officials reportedly only confirmed those details days later, and Massey’s father, James Wilburn said he learned the information from the news.

“I was under the impression that a prowler had broke in and killed my baby,” Wilburn said. “Never did they say it was a deputy-involved shooting until my brother read it on the internet.”

New records of scanner traffic on the morning of Massey’s death were released by the Sangamon County Dispatch office.

At 12:49 a.m., Massey initially called 911. In the call, Massey said, “I keep hearing stuff on the outside of my house, and it sounds like someone is banging on the side of my house. Could you guys come and see?”

Responding deputies searched the property for about 30 minutes without finding anything. They then went to the door and Massey answered around 1:15 a.m.

According to body cam footage released on Monday, Grayson and another deputy speak with Massey inside her house. Grayson, the footage shows, notices a pot of boiling water on the stove, and Massey goes to remove the pot from the burner.

Grayson comments about the water, to which Massey responds, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

In the body cam footage, Grayson is heard asking Massey multiple questions about her mental health, including if she had taken her medication.

Grayson can then be seen pulling his gun and eventually firing three shots at Massey, even as she can be heard saying, “I’m sorry,” multiple times.

The deputies begin yelling, “Shots fired.” Shortly after, Grayson can then be heard asking the dispatchers, “Does she have any call history for being 10/96?” This question was asked at 1:23 a.m. A 10/96 call refers to a person suffering from mental health issues.

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Audio shows dispatchers were unsure if the gunshot wounds were officer-involved or self-inflicted, which one deputy seems to confirm on the call.

Days later, the body cam footage confirmed the shooting was instead a police-involved shooting.

Grayson has since been fired. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Massey's death.

He was booked into the Sangamon County Jail and was being held without bond. If convicted, he faces 45 years to life in prison.