The Illinois sheriff whose deputy shot Sonya Massey, the unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help in her Springfield home, apologized to the community during a gathering Monday night, saying, “I offer up no excuses,” the Associated Press reports. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell faced a hostile crowd of more than 500 people at Union Baptist Church in a meeting facilitated by the Community Relations Service of the Justice Department, according to local media reports. “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.” Former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in the death of 36-year-old Massey for the July 6 shooting.
Body-worn camera video released July 22 shows that inside her home, Massey moved a pan of hot water from the stove, Grayson apparently feared she would throw it at him. He fired three times, striking Massey once in the face despite having several non-lethal options, authorities say. Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty. On Tuesday, the union representing Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies said it would not pursue a grievance demanding Grayson’s reinstatement and return of lost wages and benefits. Filed July 18, it argued that Grayson was fired without just cause and news of the investigation and his dismissal were publicized before he was told. At a news conference in Chicago, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Massey’s family, praised the decision and said, “That’s what happens when we stand together.” Massey’s family has repeatedly called for the resignation of Campbell, who was elected in 2018 and ran unopposed in 2022. The sentiment was echoed by many attending the meeting.
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