Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the unjust Sonya Massey’s killing in her home on July 6 by a white police officer, and is “calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act”
In the statement released on Tuesday, July 23, the Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee stated that “Sonya Massey deserved to be safe”, commended the Illinois State Attorney’s swift action on the case, and ended by urging Congress to pass the bill she coauthored as a Senator achieves a police reform in honor of Sonya and many others.
“I join President Biden in commending the swift action of the State’s Attorney’s Office and in calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that I coauthored in the Senate. In this moment, in honor of Sonya’s memory and the memory of so many more whose names we may never know, we must come together to achieve meaningful reforms that advance the safety of all communities,” she wrote.
Harris’s statement comes after the Illinois Police released a 36-minute body camera footage showing the events leading to the fatal killing of the 36-year-old by 30-year-old Sean Grayson after she called 911 to check a suspected intrusion of her home in Springfield.
The video shows Grayson, who is being charged with first-degree murder, and another deputy arriving at Massey’s home around 1 AM. Massey, appearing confused, let the deputies in, saying, “Don’t hurt me.”
Inside, tensions escalated when Grayson noticed a pot on the stove and commented about fire safety. Massey retrieved the pot and unexpectedly said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson, separated from Massey by a kitchen counter, responded with a threat to shoot her if she didn’t put down the pot.
The situation quickly deteriorated as Grayson pulled out his 9mm pistol and aimed it at Massey. Despite her apology and attempts to duck behind the counter, Grayson fired three shots, fatally wounding Massey with a shot to the head.
After the shooting, Grayson initially discouraged his partner from providing medical assistance, stating, “There’s nothing you can do, man.” He later claimed to responding officers that Massey “had boiling water and came at me.”
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office fired Grayson, stating he did not “act as trained or in accordance with our standards.” Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Harris’s statement comes at a time when Black Americans are reminded of many who have been unjustly killed including George Floyd who the police reform bill is named after. Floyd was asphyxiated to death under the knee of a white police officer in 2020.
