An Illinois woman was shot and killed Saturday night in an incident involving two deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, according to law enforcement.
Two Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a Springfield, Illinois, residence at about 12:50 a.m. to investigate a prowler, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office obtained by ABC News.
“At approximately 1:21 a.m., the Deputies reported that shots had been fired, resulting in a female being struck by gunfire,” according to the sheriff’s statement. “Deputies immediately administered first aid until EMS arrived. The woman was transported to St. John’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. No deputies were injured during the incident.”
Sonya Massey, 36, was pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m. on Saturday after being transported to an area hospital, Jim Allmon, Sangamon County Coroner, told ABC News in a statement.
“An autopsy was performed, and preliminary findings show Ms. Massey died from a gunshot wound,” Allmon’s statement said. “The death remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County Coroner.”
People attend a protest in front of the Sangamon County Building, on July 12, 2024, over the officer involved shooting death of Sonya Massey.
Thomas J. Turney/The State Journal-Register via USA Today Network
The Illinois State Police (ISP), who have taken over the investigation, told ABC News in a statement that they would not yet share body camera footage “to protect the integrity of the legal process and the right to a fair trial in the event charges are filed.”
The sheriff’s office told ABC News in a statement that it requested that the ISP conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
“ISP is collaborating closely with the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office to conduct a timely, comprehensive, and transparent investigation,” according to a statement by the state police.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who Massey’s family has retained as legal counsel, says Massey was shot and killed in her own home after calling 911 to report an intruder. ABC News has been unable to independently verify this information.
“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,” Crump said in a statement to ABC News. “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 30 deadly minutes.”
Jay Nikhol of Jacksonville holds up sign during a protest in front of the Sangamon County Building, on July 12, 2024, over the officer involved shooting of Sonya Massey.
Thomas J. Turney/The State Journal-Register via USA Today Network
Supporters of the family held a protest in Springfield, Illinois, on Friday demanding justice and accountability in Massey’s death.
John Milhiser, the Sangamon County state attorney, confirmed with ABC News in a statement that his office is working with state police on the investigation but could not release any further information at this time.
Authorities did not release the name of the deputies on the scene when Massey was shot.
“When appropriate, additional information, including the video, will be shared with Sonya Massey’s family before releasing further,” according to a statement from state police.
An Illinois woman tragically lost her life in a fatal shooting incident involving a deputy in a rural area of the state. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday evening when deputies responded to a call about a disturbance at a residence in a small town in Illinois. According to reports, the deputies encountered the woman, who was armed with a weapon, and a confrontation ensued. During the altercation, the deputy fired his weapon, fatally striking the woman.
The identity of the woman has not been released, and details surrounding the events leading up to the shooting are still unclear. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident.
The shooting has reignited discussions about police use of force and the need for greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement agencies. Many are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and for the deputy to be held accountable if any wrongdoing is found.
This incident is just one of many in recent years that have raised concerns about police violence and the need for reform within law enforcement agencies. Calls for increased training on de-escalation techniques and better mental health resources for officers have become more urgent as communities demand change.
As the investigation into this tragic shooting continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater oversight and accountability in law enforcement. The loss of life in any situation is a tragedy, and it is essential that all incidents involving police use of force are thoroughly investigated to ensure justice is served and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
