Officials in Sangamon County, Illinois, have agreed to a $10 million settlement with the family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was shot and killed by police in her home last summer. The settlement was approved by the county board and was called historic by the family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci. They defended the amount, which is 50% of the sheriff’s office’s annual budget, as significant for the area. Massey was shot by Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson after calling 911 about a suspected prowler. Grayson, who was later fired and charged with murder, claimed he feared great bodily harm because Massey mentioned Jesus. Her family blames Grayson’s employers for her death, given his troubled employment history. The case prompted the resignation of Sheriff Jack Campbell and an agreement with the Department of Justice for policy changes. Massey’s death joins a list of Black individuals fatally shot by police in their homes across the country, sparking calls for accountability in law enforcement hiring practices. The settlement is seen as a step toward justice for Massey’s family, although they acknowledge it is just the beginning.
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