U.S. Resolves Civil Rights Inquiry Into Illinois Deputy’s Killing of Black Woman

The Justice Department said this week that it had found no discriminatory practices behind the fatal shooting last year by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman who had called 911 because she had thought a prowler was outside her home.

Still, as part of an agreement that ended the department’s civil rights investigation into the county’s practices, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and emergency dispatch operation must review and update their policies and training. The county must also create a mobile crisis team that includes trained behavioral health staff.

Federal officials had opened the inquiry after Ms. Massey, 36, was killed on July 6, 2024, in her home after an exchange with responding deputies over a pot of hot water.

Sean Grayson, a white sheriff’s deputy involved in the killing, was fired and has been charged with first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

In a statement on Friday after the agreement with the Justice Department was announced, Sheriff Paula Crouch of Sangamon County said: “We are focused on fostering trust and improving the ways we serve our community. We recognize that there is always room for improvement.”

Lawyers for Ms. Massey’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

Ms. Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, had called 911 one day before the shooting to ask for help. She told dispatchers that her daughter was having a mental breakdown and was vulnerable, according to call recordings.

In a phone call made around 9 a.m. on July 5, Donna Massey said, “I don’t want you guys to hurt her, please.”

The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office said in July that evidence showed that Mr. Grayson had not been “justified in his use of deadly force.”

Body camera footage showed Mr. Grayson and another deputy arrived at Ms. Massey’s home and searched the front of the home and backyard after she called about a prowler. They then knocked on her door, and told her that they hadn’t found anyone outside.

The deputies followed her inside, asking her for identification while she sat on a sofa, footage shows. Ms. Massey then got up to remove a pot of hot water from the stove.

As she was handling the pot, several feet away from the deputies, Ms. Massey said twice to them, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Mr. Grayson warned that she “better not,” using expletives and saying that he would shoot her in the face. He then drew his gun, ordered her to drop the pot, and fired at least two shots at her, the video shows.

Ms. Massey was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to the Illinois State Police.

The Sangamon County sheriff at the time of the shooting, Jack Campbell, resigned the following month amid calls from the Illinois governor, J.B. Pritzker, and members of the public asked him to step down.

Mr. Campbell had hired Mr. Grayson knowing that he had two convictions for driving under the influence on his record, including one that had led to Mr. Grayson’s premature discharge from the Army in February 2016, according to personnel records released by the county.

The Justice Department, after reviewing reports about the shooting, said that it raised “serious concerns” about the county sheriff’s office’s interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disabilities.

It opened its inquiry two months ago, and also delved into the county and its central emergency dispatch system for possible violations of federal nondiscrimination policies.

The county, which is in the center of Illinois and whose largest city is Springfield, the state capital, said that it welcomed the federal review.

During the investigation, federal officials sought to learn more about how the sheriff’s office trains and responds to calls involving people experiencing behavioral health crises. They also asked for data broken down by race for use of force and for traffic and pedestrian stops.

As part of the Justice Department resolution, under which Sangamon County admitted no liability, the sheriff’s office will hold more community forums and expand outreach programs. It will also have to collect better data on episodes involving use of force and people with disabilities.

“The death of Sonya Massey was a terrible tragedy for a woman experiencing a mental health crisis, her family, and the entire Sangamon County community,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. “This agreement reflects Sangamon County’s commitment to instituting reform and taking action that will help improve public safety and restore trust with the community in the road ahead.”

Sheriff Crouch said that these reforms would create more transparency and accountability.

President Biden said in July that he was “heartbroken” for the family of Ms. Massey.