Illinois Sheriff Apologizes To Community After Deputy’s Fatal Shooting Of Sonya Massey

The sheriff of Illinois offered an apology to the local community during a meeting on Monday evening, following the heartbreaking incident where a deputy shot Sonya Massey , a Black woman who had called 911 for assistance at her residence in Springfield.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell was met with a tough crowd of over 500 individuals at Union Baptist Church during a meeting organized by the Community Relations Service of the Justice Department, according to apnews. “I stand here today before you with arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness,” an emotional Campbell said. “I ask Ms. Massey and her family for forgiveness. I offer up no excuses. What I do is offer our attempt to do better, to be better.”

RELATED: Audio Recordings Reveal Deputy Sean Grayson Was Previously Reprimanded for Making False Reports Prior to Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey

As we previously reported, ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in connection with the death of 36-year-old Massey, who was shot on July 6. The body-worn camera footage, released on July 22, revealed that while inside her residence, Massey was seen moving a pan of hot water from the stove which led Grayson to fire three shots, with one hitting Massey in the face. Grayson has entered a plea of not guilty.

The union representing Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies announced on Tuesday that they would not be pursuing a grievance seeking the reinstatement of Grayson along with the reimbursement of lost wages and benefits. The grievance, filed on July 18, claimed that Grayson was terminated without proper justification and that details regarding the investigation and his termination were made public before he was officially informed.

During a press conference in Chicago, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is acting as legal counsel for Massey’s family, commended the decision and stated, “That’s what happens when we stand together.”

RELATED: Vice President Kamala Harris Calls Family Of Sonya Massey, Speaks Mostly With Her Son, Offers ‘Heartfelt Condolences,’

Massey’s family has consistently urged for the resignation of Campbell, who was elected in 2018 and ran unopposed in 2022. This sentiment was shared by numerous individuals present at the meeting.

“I will not abandon the sheriff’s office at this most critical moment,” Campbell said. “That would solve nothing.”

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