Sonya Massey was in tears as she sat in the passenger seat of her vehicle, distressed about her family, her two children, and the disconnection of utilities at her home on Hoover Street in Woodside Township, Illinois.

Massey was the focus of a 911 call made by her mother, Donna Massey, shortly after 9 a.m. on July 5, reporting that her daughter was experiencing a “mental breakdown.” During this time, Massey was temporarily staying at her mother’s residence on Cedar Street in Springfield.

Recently released body cam footage captures Massey expressing her anxiety, saying, “I don’t know what to do,” despite various offers of help being presented to her.

She later affirmed that she had her medication and intended to take it.

The body camera footage, lasting about 45 minutes, shows a Springfield Police officer who had previously responded to a call about Massey conversing with her in a calm manner.

“Your kids are concerned about you, too,” the officer reassured her. “Everyone just wants you to be alright.”

Another officer added, “At this moment, you need to care for yourself. That’s the best way to care for your kids.”

After a discussion with a specialist from Memorial Behavioral Health, Massey drove away.

Less than 16 hours later, she would be shot dead by a deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office.

The fatal shooting on July 6 has ignited nationwide protests against police violence and prompted a federal investigation by the Department of Justice.

Body camera footage from that incident shows Massey in a light dressing gown, apologizing to the deputy as he pulled out his weapon when she picked up a hot water pan, just moments before he fired, while she uttered, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Earlier, Sangamon County had released the audio from the 911 call that was made the day before, and two videos from the body cameras were recently obtained by The State Journal-Register, a member of the YSL News Network, following a Freedom of Information Act inquiry submitted to the city of Springfield.

Despite her worries, Massey expressed gratitude to the officers, referring to them as “blessed” and “beautiful.”

“We’re here for you,” another officer reassured her during their approximately 45-minute interaction.

“God bless. Thank you all,” Massey responded. “I’m going to do what I need to do.”

In the 911 call, Donna Massey stated that her daughter was not a danger to herself or to her.

“Please, I don’t want you guys to harm her,” she pleaded in the audio.

Since Donna Massey’s residence was within the city limits, Springfield Police were dispatched, while Sonya Massey lived in an unincorporated part of Woodside Township.

When officers arrived, they found Massey in her front yard, asking for her belongings, including her clothes, planner, and medication.

“They won’t give it to me,” she stated, referring to her mother and other family members in the house.

Donna Massey admitted to an officer that her daughter had recently left a mental health facility in southern Illinois, from which she had decided to depart voluntarily.

Donna described her daughter to the officer, saying she exhibits two sides: “a very sweet one and then she turns,” explaining, “I know this is not the daughter I raised. We just want her to be safe.”

“She’s unpredictable,” Sonya’s aunt added. “I haven’t seen her like this before. I want the old Sonya back.”

In the video, Massey was observed responding correctly to questions posed by an emergency medical worker about the current year and who the president was, among other inquiries.

Later in the video, she spoke with a behavioral health specialist. Further documents indicated that while Amma hadn’t sought immediate help, she subsequently visited HSHS St. John’s Hospital later that day “to address her mental health” following an alleged disagreement with her neighbor.

Credit to Steven Spearie , Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.