The fatal shooting of Sonya Massey has led to the Department of Justice launching a civil rights investigation of the Sangamon County sheriff's office.

SummaryDOJ letter cites statutes from 3 separate federal laws on race, disabilities, police safety The United States Department of Justice has issued a letter formally notifying the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office of potential violations of federal statute,

The Justice Department also reviewed the sheriff’s department’s employment practices, such as a lack of diversity on the force. These allegations collectively raise concerns of race and disability discrimination prohibited by Title VI,

The US Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation of Illinois’ Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office four months after a deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey while responding to her call about a possible prowler outside the 36-year-old Black woman’s home.

The fatal shooting earlier this year of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, sparked national outcry over police violence.

The Department of Justice is formally inquiring into Sangamon County for its nondiscrimination practices. County officials said they received a formal letter from the Department of Justice asking for more information after receiving allegations the Sheriff’s Office,

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the deadly police shooting of a Black woman that happened at her downstate Illinois home back in July.