Illinois sheriff, whose deputy killed Sonya Massey apologizes: ‘I offer up no excuses’
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — The Sheriff of Illinois whose deputy shot Sonya MasseyThe unarmed black woman who called 911 for help in her Springfield home apologized to the community at a rally Monday night, saying, “I don’t apologize.”
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell faced a hostile crowd of more than 500 people at the Union Baptist Church during a meeting organized by the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, local media reported.
“I stand before you today with my arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness,” an emotional Campbell said. “I ask for Mrs. Massey and her family’s forgiveness. I am not offering an apology. What I am offering is our attempt to do better, to be better.”
Former deputy sheriff Sean Grayson is accused of first degree murderaggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct in the death of 36-year-old Massey before the July 6 shooting. In her home, Massey took a pot of hot water off the stove and Grayson, afraid she would throw it at him, shot her three times, hit her in the face once despite several nonlethal options, authorities say. Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty.
Massey’s family has repeatedly called for the resignation of Campbell, who was elected in 2018 and is running unopposed in 2022. That sentiment was echoed by many in attendance at the meeting.
“I will not leave the sheriff’s office at this critical time,” Campbell said. “That would not solve anything.”
Grayson was screened and approved for appointment by Sangamon County in May 2023, despite two DUI convictions, the first of which earned him a prison sentence. dismissed from the army for ‘serious misconduct’, and have six jobs in four years, including as a deputy sheriff in Logan County, where he was reprimanded for ignoring an order to end a high-speed chase and hitting a deer in the process.
Although a lawyer for the family said last week that the Justice Department had opened an investigation into the incident, a spokesperson reiterated Tuesday that the agency is investigating the matter and following the criminal case.
Sierra Helmer of Springfield said she should be able to call the police without fear if she needed them.
“They are meant to protect and serve, but here in Springfield, as seen on security cameras, they unfortunately intimidate and kill,” Helmer said.
Tiara Standage, who organized several protests seeking justice for Massey, urged black voters to reject Campbell in the next election.
“We will not be silent,” Standage said. “We will not let this be swept away.”
Reverend T. Ray McJunkins, pastor of Union Baptist Church, urged those in attendance to recognize the grieving process.
“We’re grieving, and the first stage of grieving is to talk about it, to express ourselves, not to kill somebody,” McJunkins said. “God also requires that we do justice. We want to start the healing process tonight.”