Vice President Harris on Tuesday condemned the police killing of Sonya Massey, who was shot in the face by a police officer earlier this month after calling 911 for help.
“Sonya Massey deserved to be safe. After calling the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home, at the hands of a police officer she swore to protect and serve. Doug and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in mourning her senseless death,” Harris said in a statement, referring to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Body camera video released by the Illinois State Police showed former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shooting Massey, a 38-year-old black woman, three times inside her Springfield, Illinois, home.
Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm and official misconduct, the Associated Press reported.
The video appears to show a tense moment at Massey’s home over a pot of hot water. At one point, Massey said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” which prompted Grayson to yell at her.
Grayson yelled at Massey to drop a pan of hot water and threatened to shoot her. Massey apologized, ducked, and stood up for a moment before Grayson fired his gun at her. Prosecutors said Grayson discouraged the other deputy from obtaining his medical kit, according to the AP.
Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after President Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday, also called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
“Our thoughts are also with communities across our country, whose calls for help are often met with suspicion, mistrust and even violence. The disturbing images released yesterday confirm what we know from the lived experiences of so many – we have a lot of work to do to ensure our justice system lives up to its name,” she said.
“I join President Biden in praising the State Attorney’s Office’s quick action and in calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill I co-authored in the Senate. At this moment, in honor of Sonya’s memory and the memory of so many others whose names we may never know, we must come together to achieve meaningful reforms that promote the safety of all communities,” she continued.
Biden too issued a statement about Massey’s death on Monday, saying his family “deserves justice.”
“Sonya called the police because she was worried about a potential intruder. When we ask for help, all of us as Americans – regardless of who we are or where we live – should be able to do so without fearing for our lives,” he said. he said.
The Associated Press contributed.
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