July 25th 2024.
Malachi Hill-Massey stood in front of a crowd of reporters, his voice trembling with emotion as he spoke about the tragic loss of his mother, Sonya Massey. He accused the Sangamon County Police Department of trying to cover up her death, and demanded justice for her.
During a press conference on July 23, Malachi recounted the heartbreaking moments when he received the news of his mother's passing. The 17-year-old shared that he had received a call from the hospital, but not from the police, informing him that his mother had been shot in the eye and the bullet had exited through her neck. However, the hospital failed to disclose who was responsible for her injuries, simply referring to the perpetrator as "someone."
Fighting back tears, Malachi said, "They never told me who shot her. They just kept saying someone did. They wouldn't give me any answers." He also revealed that he had to be the one to break the devastating news to his grandmother, Donna Massey, who was also present at the press conference.
Donna Massey, who had also been interviewed by CBS News, echoed her grandson's sentiments. She revealed that the police had changed their story multiple times, even going as far as suggesting that Sonya had died by suicide. "They kept changing the story," she said with frustration.
Despite the heartache and confusion, Malachi was determined to seek justice for his beloved mother, whom he described as "a ball of love." Sonya Massey was fatally shot by Deputy Sean Grayson on July 6 after she called the police to report a suspected prowler. Body-cam footage showed that things took a fatal turn when Grayson asked Sonya to move a pot of water that was heating up on the stove. Before she could comply, he aggressively yelled at her and pulled out his gun, shooting her in the face.
David Harris, a use-of-force expert and professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, commented on the incident, stating that the whole encounter could have been avoided if the officers had not entered Sonya's home in the first place. "This never had to happen," he said. "The whole encounter could have ended on the front porch."
The tragic incident was caught on video, and attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, revealed that the Department of Justice has launched an investigation. He also expressed concern about the possibility of a cover-up, referencing the case of Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy who was fatally shot by police in 2015.
The Massey family is determined to seek justice for Sonya and hold the police accountable for their actions. The whole community is mourning the loss of a loving mother and advocate, and the police department's attempts to hide the truth only add to the pain and anger felt by those affected by this tragedy.
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