Sonya Massey's Family Seeking Donations 'As We Fight For Justice'

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The family of Sonya Massey is collecting donations to cover costs associated with the aftermath of her shocking and violent death at the hands of a Springfield area sheriff’s deputy, which was captured on body camera.

“The outpouring of love and support has been tremendous, but our family needs financial support as we fight for justice,” her father, James Wilburn, and uncle, Raymond Massey, said on a GoFundMe, which had received over $60,000 in donations as of Friday morning.

The GoFundMe described 36-year-old Massey as a caring and loving mother who enjoyed cooking, doing hair and church.

The mother of two — 17-year-old Malachi Hill Massey and 15-year-old Jeannette "Summer" Massey — was from a large family with many cousins who thought of her as a sister.

"She was loving, caring. Her cousins — she loved her cousins," Malachi said. "She was just a ball of energy. We'd go anywhere; if she wanted to talk to someone, she'd go talk to them. She was just a loving person. She always helped people, too.”

Massey, who was unemployed, had struggled with mental illness and undergone treatment.

She called 911 around 1 a.m. July 6 about a possible prowler at her Springfield home, and former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was among those who responded.

When Massey opened the door, she said, "Don't hurt me," seemed confused and repeated, "Please God" and said, "I don't know what to do.”

Massey and Grayson went inside the house, followed by another deputy.

Massey was moving a pot off the stove during what had been a generally friendly visit when one of the deputies told her he was stepping “away from your hot steaming water,” according to the body camera footage.

“Away from my hot steaming water?” she replied. “Oh, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

The mood then shifted drastically, as Grayson threatened to shoot Massey in the face, the footage shows. She apologized and ducked behind a counter as the deputies both drew guns and shouted at her to drop the pot that she had been holding, which she appeared to have left near the sink area of her kitchen counter when she ducked. She then popped back up and was seen holding what appeared to be the pot as three shots were heard and water was visible on the kitchen floor.

Grayson, who records revealed worked at six law enforcement agencies over less than four years and previously pleaded guilty twice to driving under the influence, was terminated. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as aggravated battery and official misconduct. If convicted, he faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, six to 30 years for battery, and two to five years for misconduct.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.