Sangamon County, Illinois Sheriff Jack Campbell has admitted that deputies "failed" Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had called 911 for help, following her fatal shooting.
On Monday (July 29), Campbell publicly acknowledged that his office failed Massey at a community meeting held at a church in Springfield, per CNN.
“(Sonya Massey) called for help and we failed,” the sheriff said of the shooting. “We did not do our jobs. We failed Sonya. We failed Sonya’s family and friends. We failed the community."
Campbell's comments come after Massey called 911 on July 6 to report a possible intruder at her home. One of the deputies who responded to the call, Sean Grayson, shot and killed Massey following an exchange over a pot of hot water.
Following the shooting, Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. Campbell's office initially said Grayson's actions “do not reflect the values and training of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole,” and it was “clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards.”
Grayson was indicted on July 17 on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. The now-former deputy has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During Monday's meeting, Campbell asked the community for forgiveness in the wake of Massey's shooting.
“I stand here today before you, with arms wide open, and I ask for your forgiveness. 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,” he said.
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