Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund is a member organization of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD). CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. In solidarity with CCD, DREDF shares the following statement:
July 31, 2024
The Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Board of Directors condemns the murder of Sonya Massey at the hands of a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy in Illinois. Sonya Massey called 911 to report a potential prowler around her home. Instead of receiving the help she needed, she was shot and killed in her home. According to the bodycam footage, the deputy who killed her told his partner that she would not need medical help immediately after the shooting.[1] Sonya was a mother and had a mental health disability.
Some news reports have stated that the deputy received training. However, research shows that law enforcement typically lack adequate training to respond appropriately to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis.[2] News reports also strongly suggested that the deputy who murdered Sonya demonstrated his lack of fitness to serve in law enforcement.
These senseless killings should never happen but yet they do, again and again. Black women are more likely to be killed by police than white women.[3] Having the police enter your home should not result in death. We mourn the loss of Sonya Massey, Breonna Taylor, Tanisha Anderson, Deborah Danner, and the countless other Black women who have lost their lives due to police brutality and misconduct. We extend our deepest condolences to Sonya Massey’s family and we will continue to say her name.
[1] What we know about the deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey in her home after she called 911 for help https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/24/us/sean-grayson-illinois-police-officer-shooting-sonya-massey/index.html
[2] Sandra Larson, “It’s Vital to Increase Police Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders,” HealthCity. May 27, 2021. https://healthcity.bmc.org/population-health/its-vital-police-better-understand-autismspectrum-disorder