Sonya Massey Video Still

A riveted nation watched video released this week of a sheriff’s deputy in Illinois fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who called 911 for assistance, in her home. Sean Grayson, 14 months into his career as a deputy sheriff for Sangamon County in the center of the state, is charged with murder. Massey’s death is the latest example of Black people shot in their homes by law enforcement in cities around the country. Grayson has pleaded not guilty and his defense attorney has declined requests to comment on the charges.

The Illinois sheriff whose deputy shot Sonya Massey, the unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help in her Springfield home, apologized Monday night during a community meeting. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell faced a hostile crowd of more than 500 people at Union Baptist Church. Former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder after answering Massey's 911 call about a suspected prowler on July 6 and shooting her in the face. On Tuesday, the union that represents Sangamon County sheriff's deputies announced it would not pursue a grievance filed July 18 seeking Grayson's reinstatement because he was fired “without just cause,” a decision celebrated in Chicago by leaders of a rally for Massey.