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CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Sonya Massey shooting prompts Illinois law requiring disclosure of police recruits' backgrounds
Illinois law now requires that prospective police officers approve the release of personal background records in response to last summer's shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, in her home by a sheriff's deputy who had responded to her call for help. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed the legislation, which requires disclosure of everything from job performance reports to nonpublic settlement agreements. It resulted from indiscretions that came to light in the background of Sean Grayson, the ex-sheriff's deputy charged with first-degree murder in the case. Pritzker, surrounded by Massey's family in the state Capitol, said the first-in-the-nation law should serve as an example for other states as he let Massey's 'spirit guide us to action.' 'Our justice system needs to be built on trust,' the Democrat said. 'Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct, and police officers should be able to trust that they are serving alongside responsible and capable individuals.' The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner, a Springfield Democrat and friend of the Masseys, and Chicago Democratic Rep. Kam Buckner, who noted that Thursday marks the 117th anniversary of the three-day Race Riot in Springfield that led to the founding a year later of the NAACP. Massey, 36, was a single mother of two teenagers who had a strong religious faith and struggled with mental health issues. In the early morning of July 6, 2024, she called 911 to report a suspected prowler outside her home in the capital city of Springfield, 201 miles southwest of Chicago. Grayson and another deputy searched but found no one. Inside Massey's house, confusion over a pot of hot water Massey picked up and her curious response to Grayson — 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus' — which the deputy said he took to mean she wanted to kill him, prompted him to fire on Massey, hitting her right below the eye. The 31-year-old Grayson was 14 months into his career as a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy when he answered Massey's call. His arrest two weeks later prompted an examination of his record, which showed several trouble spots. In his early 20s, he was convicted of driving under the influence twice within a year, the first of which got him kicked out of the Army. He had four law enforcement jobs — mostly part-time — in six years. One past employer noted that he was sloppy in handling evidence and called him a braggart. Others said he was impulsive. Those seeking policing jobs must sign a waiver allowing past employers to release unredacted background materials, including job performance reports, physical and psychological fitness-for-duty reports, civil and criminal court records, and, even otherwise nonpublic documents such as nondisclosure or separation agreements. 'It isn't punitive to any police officer. The same kind of commonsense legislation needs to be done nationwide,' James Wilburn, Massey's father, said. 'People should not be able to go from department to department and their records not follow them.' The hiring agency may see the contents of documents sealed by court order by getting a judge's approval, and court action is available to compel a former employer to hand over records. 'Several departments need to pick up their game and implement new procedures, but what's listed here (in the law) is what should be minimally done in a background check,' said Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, who helped negotiate the proposal. Ironically, no. Most of what was revealed about Grayson after his arrest was known to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, who was forced to retire early because of the incident. Campbell was aware of Grayson's shortcomings and, as a result, made him repeat the state's 16-week police training course. Even an incident that didn't surface until six weeks after the shooting — a dash-cam video of Grayson, working as a deputy in a nearby county, ignoring an order to halt a high-speed chase and then hitting a deer with his squad car — would not have disqualified him, Campbell said at the time. 'We can't decide who they do or don't hire, but what we can do is put some parameters in place so that the information will be there and the right decision can be made,' Buckner said. Grayson, who also faces charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in October. Publicity persuaded Judge Ryan Cadagin to move the proceeding from Springfield to Peoria, 73 miles to the north. The incident has garnered international news coverage, prompted activists' rallies, and led to a $10 million civil court settlement.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
$20K reward offered to find driver that killed toddler and father in Long Beach
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors increased the reward to find the hit-and-run driver who allegedly killed a 3-year-old and her father in 2022. The deadly crash happened in North Long Beach on the night of March 1, 2022. Samantha Palacios, 3, and her father, Jose Palacios-Gonzalez, 42, were asleep in their apartment on the 6600 block of Rose Avenue when suspect Octavio Montano Islas slammed his 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck through their wall. The Long Beach Police Department said Montano Islas was drunk and driving away from a nearby bar. Initially, LA County offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of Montano Islas. Supervisor Janice Hahn increased the reward to $20,000 after it expired this year. "Today Samantha would have been seven years old, possibly starting 2nd grade in a few weeks, had Octavio Montano Islas not brutally cut her life short. Nothing will fill the gap left by the deaths of Samantha and her dad Jose, but we need to find this driver and hold him accountable. Their families deserve justice," Hahn said. Following the deadly collision, family members and supporters pleaded for justice and implored Montano Islas to turn himself in to the police. "Nothing is going to return our loved ones, but Octavio Montano Islas has to pay for what he did," said mother Esnelia Palacios in 2023. "I ask you to please help us do justice." Investigators described Islas as a 5-foot-8, 160-pound man with black hair and tattoos on his right forearm. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact Scott Jenson of the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at (562) 570-7218. "To the suspect that took the lives of Jose and Samantha, know this: our officers will not be dissuaded by the passage of time," Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish said in 2023. "We will continue our investigation until we find and arrest you. You will be held accountable for the death of Jose and Samantha — and you will be held responsible for the subsequent pain you've caused by failing to turn yourself in."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman dead inside barricaded SE Portland home; man in custody
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman was found dead inside a Southeast Portland home where an armed, barricaded man engaged in a standoff with a heavy police presence for hours. The 'critical incident' began around 6:30 p.m. when police went to the home near SE 170th and Division after a man called to report there was a dead woman inside, PPB said in a release. Because the man — who has not been publicly identified — was believed to be armed, the heavy police response of SERT and Crisis Negotiators was called to the scene. Not long after, officers used flash bangs in 'to breach the front door,' PPB spokesperson Mike Benner said. Once inside, they found the woman, brought her out and declared her dead. At this point it is not clear what the relationship is between the man and the woman. 'Over several hours, tactical teams tried to make contact' with the man who remained barricaded, Benner said, but he refused to comply. Then shortly before 9 p.m., he came out of the house and was taken into custody. Benner said the man was then taken to a hospital for treatment. Police recovered a gun at the scene. Benner confirmed a reverse-911 was used for people living in the area, but that shelter-in-place was lifted. KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
