Last messages between Sonya Massey and sister before tragic 911 call leads to fatal police shooting

The devastated sister of Sonya Massey who was tragically shot dead by police after dialling 911 for assistance has shared the text messages they exchanged prior to the horrific incident.

Sonya Massey had ducked and apologized to an Illinois sheriff's deputy just moments before he fired three shots at her in her own home, one of which fatally struck her in the head.

"Today is about peace, today is about my big sister. It's not about that man that's gonna rot in jail, it's about my big sister," said Breeanna Toles, Massey's younger sibling, during her funeral on Friday.

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"As the baby sister, I look back at our text messages. She'd say, 'I love you, baby sister.' I hold onto those memories. I wish all of my sisters could be in the room today."

Ms Toles continued: "I know people wanna see the video, I know people wanna talk about the video; I just ask if you do it, just do it out of respect for us. It's not a video you want to see. My dad can't even sleep."

Last week, an Illinois grand jury indicted former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, who is white. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

The video footage corroborated prosecutors' earlier account of the tense moment when Grayson shouted from across a counter at Massey to put down a pot of hot water. He then threatened to shoot her, Massey ducked, briefly rose, and Grayson discharged his pistol at her.

During Massey's funeral on Friday, Crump stated the video, which he and the family had already seen, would "shock the conscience of America."

Massey's father, James Wilburn, called for the county court system to be completely transparent with its investigation and prosecution and to keep the public fully informed.

"The only time I will see my baby again is when I leave this world," Wilburn expressed. "And I don't ever want anybody else in the United States to join this league."

Grayson, who was sacked last week, is currently being detained at the Sangamon County Jail without the possibility of bail. If found guilty, he could face a prison term ranging from 45 years to life for murder, 6 to 30 years for battery, and 2 to 5 years for misconduct.

Officials reported that Massey, aged 36, had earlier phoned 911 to report a suspected prowler. The footage reveals that two deputies arrived just before 1am on July 6 at her residence in Springfield, located 200 miles (322 kilometers) southwest of Chicago .

Initially, they inspected the perimeter of the house and discovered a black SUV with shattered windows in the driveway.

After the deputies knocked, it took Massey three minutes to answer the door, where she immediately pleaded, "Don't hurt me."

She appeared disoriented while conversing with them at the doorway, repeatedly stating she needed help, mentioning God, and expressing uncertainty about who owned the vehicle.

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Inside the home, deputies appeared frustrated as she rummaged through her handbag on the sofa, ignoring their requests for ID to finish a report. It was then that Grayson noticed a pot on the stove.

"We don't need a fire while we're here," he remarked. Massey promptly rose and moved the pot towards the sink.

A moment of levity seemed to pass between her and Grayson as they chuckled about her "steaming hot water" pan. However, the situation took a sudden turn when she declared, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."

Grayson's response was aggressive: "You better (expletive) not or I swear to God I'll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face."

He drew his 9mm pistol, insisting she put down the pot. Massey complied, saying, "OK, I'm sorry." The body camera footage from Grayson showed him aiming at her as she cowered and lifted her hands.

Still in the living room, Grayson faced Massey with a counter between them, providing him with "distance and relative cover" according to prosecutors.

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