Former deputy is ‘solely responsible’ for Sonya Massey shooting: Sangamon Co. Sheriff

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell has attributed the entire blame of the deadly shooting of Sonya Massey on former Deputy Sean Grayson, who was responding to her 911 calls.

“We had one individual that snapped for whatever reason, is responsible and solely responsible for this,” he said in an interview with WCIA. “It’s impossible to identify that there was no reason why he shouldn’t have done his job that night.”

Sheriff Campbell said he will not step down at first public appearance since Sonya Massey’s death

Despite multiple calls from the community and Massey’s family, Campbell said as he is an elected official he will not step down.

“It would be dereliction of my duties to abandon the sheriff’s office right now when they need me more than ever,” Campbell said. “So I will not resign.”

Springfield Police Chief ‘ashamed’ over deputy that killed Sonya Massey

Campbell also criticized the “partisan politics” behind county board members’ call for him to resign. Campbell, an elected Republican, has faced calls to resign from two Democratic members of the board.

“For somebody to use this situation for political reason, I think is, quite frankly, an embarrassment,” he said.

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