Portland-area law enforcement unions decry police killing of Sonya Massey

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — The leaders of two law enforcement unions serving the Portland area have spoken out about the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was killed by an Illinois deputy after calling for help.

Portland Police Association President Aaron Schmautz and Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Josh Zwick released a joint statement on the incident on Thursday evening.

“The concern, confusion, and sorrow are shared by all community members, as well as the law enforcement officers throughout our country who serve every day,” Schmautz and Zwick said, in part. “Sonya Massey should be alive today, and we lift up her family, loved ones, and community as they grapple with this unimaginable loss.”

The deadly shooting occurred in Springfield, Ill., about 200 miles outside of Chicago, on July 6. Thirty-six-year-old Massey called 911 out of concern there was a prowler in her neighborhood.

Two deputies from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene around 1 a.m., when they spotted an SUV with broken windows in her driveway. AP News reported that law enforcement knocked on her door for about three minutes before she responded, immediately saying “Don’t hurt me.”

Massey told deputies she didn’t know who owned the damaged vehicle. Inside, 30-year-old Deputy Sean Grayson advised her to turn off her stove and remove a pot of hot water before they began the police report. Body camera footage shows Massey moving the pot and shouting, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

The deputy then grabbed his 9 mm pistol, threatening to shoot her. Footage shows Massey apologizing and raising her hands before Grayson shot her three times, once in the head.

He has since been indicted for official misconduct, first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. He pleaded not guilty on all charges.

On Wednesday night, the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct was vandalized by people who are believed to be demonstrators. A bureau spokesperson told KOIN 6 it has a policy “not to get into why people are demonstrating,” but images show that suspects wrote “Stop killing us now,” and “murders” on the building.

Read Schmautz and Zwick’s full statement below.

In Springfield, Illinois, Sonya Massey called for help. She believed that she was in danger and trusted that law enforcement would ensure her safety. The events which followed leading to her tragic and inexplicable death at the hands of that very same responder create a fracture in the trust community places in its public servants. There are more questions than answers regarding this horrific incident. The concern, confusion, and sorrow are shared by all community members, as well as the law enforcement officers throughout our country who serve every day. Sonya Massey should be alive today, and we lift up her family, loved ones, and community as they grapple with this unimaginable loss.

When trust is broken, it is critical that Law Enforcement leans into relationships with community leaders, neighbors, and partners who wish to truly learn and understand each other. As leaders of our organizations and representatives of the law enforcement professionals our community interacts with every day, we are committed to transparency, connection, and open dialogue. We also respect that grief and outrage over such a dramatic and horrific incident can manifest in many ways. While speech and concern are vital outlets, we must not allow violence and discord to disrupt the necessity of connection and healing. The Portland Police Association and the Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff’s Association stand with those who are grieving this heartbreaking loss.

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