Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday called the family of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in her Illinois home, according to Massey’s family members who spoke to NBC News.
Massey, 36, was killed July 6 after she called the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office because she was afraid there might be a prowler outside, according to an attorney for her family and Illinois State Police.
“It’s made me feel a lot better today,” James Wilburn, Massey’s father, said. “She gave us her heartfelt condolences, and she let us know that she is with us 100%, that this senseless killing must stop.”
Shadia Massey, a cousin of Sonya Massey’s, said Harris’ call moved her deeply.
“That call right there meant the world to my family right now,” she said. “I mean, it definitely broke every last one of us down. Out of all the phone calls, all the thousands and thousands of messages, and phone calls and inboxes, this one here really meant the world to our family.”
Massey went on to describe being emotional at hearing Harris speak.
“It was her voice for me,” she said. “It was just me, being Shadia Massey, and I was able to speak with the vice president of the United States. For her to take time out of her busy schedule to just make that one little phone call to our family, that meant the world to me. That’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened in my life.”
“She definitely has my vote,” Shadia Massey added.
Body camera video released Monday showed Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner speaking with Massey outside her home, then going inside.
The situated appeared to escalate when Massey moved a pot off her stove. Grayson cursed at Massey, telling her “you better f—ing not. I swear to God I will f—ing shoot you right in your f—ing face.” Both deputies screamed at Massey to drop the pot before Grayson opened fire.
Grayson was fired and indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty.
Massey’s father said Harris also talked about changing the way officers can be hired.
“This shopping from job to job, we’ve got to do something about stopping these people from being able to go from one department to the next department, being passed around in order to save money by not sending people through the academy,” he said of what Harris told him. “You’re allowed to resign from one department, and then you get a job in the next department. And if that would stop, then my daughter would still be alive. This person should have never carried a badge and a gun. Never.”
Benjamin Crump, the nationally known civil rights attorney working with the Massey family, said Friday that Harris talked to the family about the need to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that would create a federal registry of police officers and their records.
“She said unfortunately they still have to keep fighting for that,” Crump said.
He also said Harris spent the most time speaking with Sonya Massey’s son Malachi.
Malachi Hill Massey, who lost his mother, said he cried throughout the call.
“I really don’t have no words,” he said. “I got very emotional. Like, I don’t know. I started crying. Like this, this is crazy. I don’t have no words for this, honestly.”
Crump also said that Harris has called several of the families he has represented, and that Friday’s call underscored the vice president’s continued commitment to civil rights and justice.
“As busy as she is right now dealing with foreign countries and leaders to say, ‘I won’t forget this Black woman and her family.’ That speaks to her character,” Crump said.
He also said that Harris left a voicemail message for the family of D’Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who died in after he was pinned down by hotel security guards outside a hotel Milwaukee last month.
NBC News obtained a recording of the voicemail Harris left for Mitchell’s mother, Brenda Giles.
“Attorney Crump, It’s Kamala Harris calling and I was hoping to be able to speak with Ms. Giles directly,” Harris said in the message. “But I just want to leave this voicemail for you to share with her and then we will try and connect hopefully sometime soon. Ms. Giles I just want you to know how very sorry I am for the loss of your son D’Vontaye. I am so sorry for just all that your family has been through and of course the way that he died and all of that. I know your grief and pain is unbearable but please know that I am thinking about you and your whole family.”
Harris went on to say: “And of course, having attorney Crump by your side is going to be very important. He is a true fighter for justice. But I am thinking about you and I am sending you my prayers and all my best wishes. And I will talk to you sometime soon. Take care. It’s Kamala Harris. Buh-bye.”
When reached for comment, Harris’ campaign referred NBC News to the vice president’s office, which has not responded.