Community urges 'genuine police reform' after Sonya Massey shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. − After a sheriff's deputy shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home, prompting national outrage, the community's law enforcement agencies are facing urgent calls for change.

Resident Anupama Paruchuri said at a city meeting Tuesday night that she wanted to see "thorough, genuine police reform."

Specifically, Paruchuri said, the city should start "a focused committee to develop and implement meaningful reforms. This committee should engage with community leaders and provide regular public updates."

It's not the first time local law enforcement officials have drawn national attention for misconduct. Paruchuri cited another city officer dismissed from the force, Aaron Paul Nichols, proving it has "similar issues" as other departments.

Nichols, a veteran Springfield Police Department officer, was put on administrative leave and he ultimately resigned in 2022 after being linked to racist, antisemitic and homophobic posts on social media.

Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her home in an unincorporated part of Woodside Township after reporting a possible intruder.

Former Sangamon County Sheriff Deputy Sean P. Grayson was charged with Massey's murder and remains in custody. He pleaded not guilty, and the local police union said it wouldn't continue to seek his reinstatement with the force.

The release of the officers' bodycam footage sparked national outrage that led to protests and rallies across the country.

Police chief says Massey was 'senselessly murdered'

Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette, at the city meeting, said the three weeks since the fatal shooting of Massey "have been hell on me."

Scarlette, whose department won almost universal praise from council members, said he and his officers "will bear the shame and the guilt for what a fellow law enforcement officer did in our community."

"(Massey) was senselessly murdered by a person who wears a uniform that is similar to this, by a person who wears a badge similar to mine, by a person who swore to uphold the same oath that I did and because of that, I'm mad," admitted Scarlette, capping the public comment section. "I'm extremely frustrated. I'm embarrassed, I'm ashamed that this person would ever call himself a law enforcement officer."

Scarlette said the force did change hiring practices two years ago, including implementing a hiring process that asks whether candidates have been involved with or support hate groups.

"We added measures to do our best to avoid any more Aaron Nichols because that's the last thing I ever want to see," Scarlette said.

'Lot of very hurt people'

Alderwoman Erin Conley said the devastation and heartbreak of Massey's murder was unthinkable. She said "every case" Grayson touched "should be reviewed."

"I've been that single woman who has called the police because I was very scared," Conley said. "I understand my privilege (as a white woman). I had officers come to my house and I was made to feel safe again. We as a city need to grow from this."

Bradley Russell of Springfield said he was tired of seeing "my Black and brown friends dying because they called the cops."

There are a lot of angry people across the Springfield area "me included," James Johnson said. "There are a lot of very hurt people, and I'm not talking about just Black. This goes across the board."

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.