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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially launched a civil rights investigation into Illinois’ Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.

Let’s bring you up to speed: On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey called 911 to report a suspected intruder at her home in Springfield, Illinois. Two Sangamon County deputies, including Sean Grayson, responded to the call. Inside Massey’s home, Grayson confronted her while she was removing a boiling pot from the stove. Despite her compliance, Grayson threatened to shoot her and subsequently fired three shots, striking Massey in the face. Grayson did not activate his body camera until after the shooting, though another deputy’s camera partially captured the incident. Following the shooting, Grayson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.

What’s going on now: The DOJ confirmed it has launched a civil rights investigation into the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), citing concerns over systemic issues with racial bias, use of force, and the handling of behavioral health crises. According to the DOJ, their investigation will examine whether the department’s practices violate federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race and disability, following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey.

In its letter to the SCSO, the DOJ identified potential flaws in the agency’s policies, training, and procedures regarding de-escalation, community policing, and response to mental health emergencies. Additionally, the DOJ is reviewing the department’s hiring practices and emergency dispatch system and has requested extensive documentation, including body camera footage, personnel records, and dispatch logs, which are required to be submitted by December 14.

Reactions: JoAnn Johnson, co-chair of the Massey Commission (which is conducting their investigation into her death), said, “We strongly encourage the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Telephone System Department and State’s Attorney’s Office to answer all of the Department of Justice’s questions in the letter so that we can all understand what exactly happened before, during and after Sonya Massey was killed by a Sangamon County deputy. These answers will help inform our work as we continue to research reform ideas and recommendations at the Massey Commission to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.”

Sangamon County Chairman Andy Van Meter said, “We welcome the Department of Justice’s review as an opportunity to ensure that our community’s law enforcement services meet the highest standards of fairness and accountability. I have full confidence in Sheriff Paula Crouch and her team to approach this process with transparency and diligence. The Sangamon County Board is fully committed to supporting the Sheriff’s Office in meeting the DOJ’s deadlines and requirements. Whether through financial resources or additional staffing, we will ensure they have the tools necessary to provide the requested information thoroughly and efficiently. This review is a critical step in strengthening public trust of the Sheriff’s Office.”