Kamala Harris reaches out to family of Springfield woman shot, killed by sheriff’s deputy

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Vice President Kamala Harris has reached out to the family of a Springfield woman who was shot and killed by a deputy several weeks ago.

On Monday, body camera footage of the incident was released.

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office fired Deputy Sean Grayson, and prosecutors last week filed murder charges and other charges against him.

Ben Crump is the attorney for the family of Sonya Massey.

He read a statement from Kamala Harris about the shooting and also said Harris plans to speak with Massey's family.

“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,” Crump said.

The Vice President's statement also went on to say, in part, that there is "much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name" and Harris' pushed for passage of the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act."

Crump also said Harris plans to speak with the Massey family.

Read the full statement from Harris below:

Sonya Massey deserved to be safe. After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home at the hands of a responding officer sworn to protect and serve. Doug and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in grieving her senseless death.

Our thoughts are also with the communities across our nation whose calls for help are often met with suspicion, distrust, and even violence. The disturbing footage released yesterday confirms what we know from the lived experiences of so many – we have much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name.

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.

President Joe Biden also issued a statement, which reads:

Sonya Massey, a beloved mother, friend, daughter, and young Black woman, should be alive today. Sonya called the police because she was concerned about a potential intruder. When we call 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. Sonya’s death at the hands of a responding officer reminds us that all too often Black Americans face fears for their safety in ways many of the rest of us do not.

Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss. Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones, and community during this devastating time.

I commend the swift actions that were taken by the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office. While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake.

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