Sheriff Apologizes After Sonya Massey Shooting

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell publicly apologized for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman, by former deputy Sean Grayson, who is charged with murder. At a community meeting attended by over 500 people, Campbell acknowledged that his department failed to protect Massey, who had called 911 for help. He stated, 'We failed Sonya. We failed Sonya's family and friends,' but he refused calls for his resignation, arguing that staying in position is essential for accountability and improvement. Grayson, who fired at Massey as she moved a pot of hot water, has pleaded not guilty and faces serious charges, including first-degree murder. The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the incident, and community leaders emphasized the need for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies. The emotional meeting highlighted community anger and calls for justice, with civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump planning to address the situation in a forthcoming press conference.