‘Difficult to watch, impossible to comprehend’: Yates denounces sheriff’s deputy’s shooting of Springfield woman

QUINCY — Adam Yates, chief of the Quincy Police Department, told the Quincy City Council during its Monday meeting at the Quincy Public Library that the shooting of a Springfield woman by a deputy with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department was “difficult to watch and impossible to comprehend.”

Sonya Massey, 36, called police to investigate a prowler at her home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue near Springfield around 12:50 a.m. on July 6. About 30 minutes later, the deputies who responded to the call reported shots fired, and Massey was struck by gunfire. She later died at a local hospital.

Sangamon County officials made public on Monday a video of Deputy Sean Grayson shooting Massey inside her residence.

“Law enforcement officers are expected to remain calm during tense situations and attempt to de-escalate volatile encounters whenever possible,” Yates said. “Sean Grayson’s reaction to the situation with Ms. Massey is counter to everything police officers believe in and train for.”

Capitol News Illinois reported that the Illinois State Police conducted a criminal investigation into the shooting, which resulted in Grayson being indicted on three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

Grayson was arrested on July 17 and is being held without bond. He has been fired from the sheriff’s department. He could face between 45 years to life in prison if convicted by a jury.

“Those who have committed themselves to the noble profession of law enforcement understand that trust, confidence and transparency are critical to building strong relationships between the police department and those we serve – especially those in minority and marginalized communities who have historically been disenfranchised by society and their government – including law enforcement,” Yates said.

“Ms. Massey’s unnecessary and tragic death at the hands of this former deputy will serve only to erode the trust and confidence the remaining 99 percent of us work so hard to establish and maintain.”

Yates said officers with the Quincy Police Department are trained in cultural competency, de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention 

“Our sergeants regularly patrol with their officers to provide guidance and supervision, and all QPD officers understand they are to treat everyone with whom they have contact with dignity and respect, Yates said. “Our community expects and deserves nothing less. I offer my condolences to the family of Sonya Massey, and I pray for the city of Springfield. This never should have happened. 

“ … The system worked as it should, and Mr. Grayson will have to answer for his crime. Law enforcement officers who break the law or act counter to the law enforcement code of ethics will be held accountable. That said, let us not assume the action of one person is indicative of the vast majority of law enforcement professionals who do the right thing, day-in and day-out. Our police officers are dedicated public servants who deserve our respect, appreciation and continued support.”

Alderman Greg Fletcher (R-1) spoke up after Yates’ comments.

“I thank God we have a police department and a sheriff’s department here in Adams County that we are proud of,” he said. “We pray for you guys every day.”

Yates said he wanted to speak to aldermen because videos like the one released on Monday often cause concerns within a community.

“I felt it was important that, as the chief of the Quincy Police Department, that we bring this to the public’s attention, let them know what happened and let them know that we’re going to do everything within our power in Quincy Police Department to make sure that something like that never happens,” he said.

Rev. Carl Terry, who has been addressing local governmental bodies regarding Quincy Public Schools’ third graders’ low scores on the 2023 Illinois Assessment of Readiness, reported to aldermen on Monday about his findings. He said he spoke with Todd Pettit, superintendent of Quincy Public Schools, who told Terry the district has several things planned for the upcoming school year.

He said he also spoke with a friend who is superintendent from Erie, Pa., about what her school district did to solve their reading problems.

“They asked the whole community to come together,” Rev. Terry said. “Somebody take on the child. Somebody look at another child. Somebody and two or three people took her child so that they could make sure that they had the village around them. My suggestion to Quincy: Let’s be the village.”

In other action, aldermen:

• Gave permission for raffles to be conducted by Blessing Hospital/Blessed Beginning Unit Birth Trauma Awareness until Sept. 28, Quincy Arts Guild from Aug. 2-9 and Friends of the Log Cabins from Aug. 1 to Sept. 14.
• Approved special event applications from the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the Bubble Fun Run/Walk on Sept. 14, from the Knights of Columbus 583 for the Knights of Columbus BBQ on Aug. 9-11, and from Quincy University requesting permission to close 20th Street between Spruce and Sycamore Streets for special game-day parking for Quincy University home football games.
• Allowed Reid Beaty, owner of a property at 1635 Chestnut, to place a fence on city-owned right-of-way.
• Approved a resolution authorizing outside counsel to provide services related to certain minimum housing and property maintenance litigation.
• Rejected bids for the Harrison Street Bridge Replacement Project and recommended the project be re-bid later.
• Adopted an ordinance allowing for the construction of three two-family residential dwellings (duplexes) at 201-203 Locust, 205 Locust and 1616 N. Second with the condition of perpendicular parking along the eastern side of North Second to meet off-street parking requirements.