Pritzker calls for resignation of Illinois sheriff after Sonya Massey shooting

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) has called for the resignation of a sheriff in his state following the killing of Sonya Massey in July after she called 911 for assistance.

“I called for the sheriff’s resignation because the sheriff has failed,” Pritzker said at a bill signing Wednesday of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell. “He has failed to explain how he ended up hiring this deputy sheriff who has been fired from other departments. He failed to put forward reforms that clearly need to be made, training and other reforms. And, still, has failed to meet with the Massey family.”

Massey, a 38-year-old Black woman, could be seen in body camera footage being shot three times in her home by Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy. The incident sparked outrage among many, including Vice President Harris, who said that Massey “deserved to be safe” in a previous statement.

“After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home at the hands of a responding officer sworn to protect and serve,” Harris said. “[Second gentleman Doug Emhoff] and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in grieving her senseless death.”

The vice president also pushed for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

“Our thoughts are also with the communities across our nation whose calls for help are often met with suspicion, distrust, and even violence. The disturbing footage released yesterday confirms what we know from the lived experiences of so many — we have much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name,” she said.

Pritzker called “not” meeting Massey’s family “outrageous” at the Wednesday bill signing. 

“At a minimum, listen to them,” Pritzker said. “Hear them, and then, hopefully, take action.”

The Hill has reached out to the Sangamon County sheriff’s office.