Vice-President Kamala Harris on Friday referred to as the household of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black girl who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in her Illinois residence, in response to Massey’s members of the family, who spoke to NBC Information.
Massey was killed on 6 July after she referred to as the Sangamon county sheriff’s workplace as a result of she was afraid there is perhaps a prowler exterior, in response to an lawyer for her household and Illinois state police.
Post-mortem findings additionally launched on Friday confirmed Massey died from a gunshot wound to the top. The report was launched shortly earlier than the civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who’s representing Massey’s household, denounced the killing by ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson as mindless, pointless and extreme.
Harris’s name “made me really feel rather a lot higher in the present day”, James Wilburn, Massey’s father, informed NBC Information. Harris’s workplace confirmed the communication.
Wilburn added that Harris “gave us her heartfelt condolences, and he or she tell us that she is with us, 100% that this mindless killing”.
Physique digicam video launched Monday confirmed Grayson and his companion talking with Massey exterior her residence, then going inside the place the state of affairs appeared to escalate when Massey moved a pot of water off her range.
Grayson cursed at Massey, telling her “you higher fucking not. I swear to God I’ll fucking shoot you proper in your fucking face.” Each deputies screamed at Massey to drop the pot earlier than Grayson opened hearth, taking pictures Massey thrice.
Grayson has been fired and indicted on expenses of first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not responsible.
Harris, the presumptive 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, issued a press release on Tuesday honoring Massey and pledging “we’ve got a lot work to do to make sure that our justice system absolutely lives as much as its title” following the discharge of the body-camera footage.
“Sonya Massey deserved to be secure,” Harris mentioned. “After she referred to as the police for assist, she was tragically killed in her own residence by the hands of a responding officer sworn to guard and serve. Doug and I ship energy and prayers to Sonya’s household and mates, and we be a part of them in grieving her mindless loss of life.”
Joe Biden issued a press release saying Massey’s household deserves justice and reiterating his name for Congress to move the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a significant police reform invoice named after the Minnesota man whose killing by a police officer in 2020 set off nationwide protests.
The Division of Justice has opened an investigation into the taking pictures of Massey.
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