Illinois woman fatally shot by authorities after calling about a possible intruder, attorney says

An Illinois woman was fatally shot by authorities after calling to report a possible intruder, according to a family attorney.

Sonya Massey, 36, was shot in Springfield on July 6 in an incident involving officers from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police said Wednesday.

In a rack released the day of the shooting, the sheriff’s office said officers responded at 12:50 a.m. after Massey called 911 to report a prowler, but did not say who was responsible for her death.

“At approximately 1:21 a.m., deputies reported shots were fired, resulting in a female being struck by gunfire,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that the unnamed deputies were not injured.

Thursday attorney Ben Crump issued a statement saying he will represent Massey’s family as the investigation into her death progresses.

“It is extremely difficult to imagine how a woman who calls the police out of fear of an intruder could be shot in the head by police in her own home,” Crump said in his statement.

“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 during those thirty deadly minutes. No family should have to endure the pain and suffering that Sonya’s loved ones are now experiencing.”

Illinois State Police said authorities would not yet provide bodycam video, citing “the integrity of the legal process and the right to due process should charges be filed.”

Members of the Springfield community rallied Friday to mourn Massey and demand transparency in the investigation, including the release of bodycam footage.