Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to the family of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot in her Illinois home on July 6, following the release of body camera footage showing Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson responding to her call for help and ultimately shooting her. The incident has sparked national outrage and calls for justice.
According to reports, Massey called 911 to report a possible intruder at her home. When officers arrived, they found no evidence of a prowler but became confrontational with Massey when she picked up a pot of water from the stove. Grayson, who has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in connection to Massey's death, can be heard threatening to shoot her in the face during the encounter.
Massey was killed by a bullet that entered beneath her left eye. The autopsy report confirmed that she died from a gunshot wound to the head, making it a homicide.
Grayson had previously been discharged from the army for serious misconduct and had two DUI offenses in Macoupin County, Illinois, in August 2015 and July 2016. The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the shooting.
Harris issued a statement honoring Massey and pledging to work towards ensuring that the justice system lives up to its name following the release of the body camera footage. She called for strength and prayers for Massey's family and friends, joining them in grieving her senseless death.
The shooting has sparked protests and calls for accountability from activists, community leaders, and politicians alike. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing Massey's family in their pursuit of justice.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions and ensuring that they are held to the highest standards.
