Demonstrations continue in support of Springfield woman killed by deputies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — On Monday morning, people gathered again outside the Sangamon County Complex building to protest the police shooting death of Sonya Massey.

These protestors are demanding answers surrounding the 36-year-old's death. They want to see footage from the police-warn body cameras.

"We have to get the message out, because if we do nothing, then nothing changes," said Tiara Standage, community activist.

According to Illinois State Police, two Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputies arrived at the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue in Springfield around 12:50 a.m. on Saturday, July 6. The initial news release said that 911 was called for a report of a prowler in the area. Then two deputies shot Massey.

Neither Illinois State Police or the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office have confirmed whether she was armed or if she was related to the initial prowling call.

Massey's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump. According to Crump's firm, Massey was shot in the head at her own home.

"She deserves justice. Her family deserves justice. And this community deserves answers. We deserve to know what happened to this young woman that called the police," said Abbey Gignati, protestor.

WAND News has reached out to ISP and Sangamon County Sheriff's Office asking if Massey was armed and why deputies fired shots.

ISP said that additional information, including the video, will be released to Massey's family "when appropriate."

In a statement posted on Facebook, Sheriff Jack Campbell said that his normal procedure is to "respond to inquiries and to give public statements in regard to major events" but that doing so "would not be appropriate" in this case.