On Friday, Vice President Harris had a conversation with the family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was fatally shot by the police in her own house earlier this month.
According to a spokesperson from Harris’s office, the vice president personally spoke with Massey’s family. NBC News was the first to report on this call, and a family member shared that Harris offered her deepest condolences and assured them of her full support.
When Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, noticed a prowler outside her Springfield, Ill., home, she immediately called 911 for help. The officers arrived at her property and conducted a thorough inspection but did not find any signs of a prowler.
According to The Associated Press, Grayson, who is white, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Earlier this week, Harris released a statement expressing her grief over the senseless death of Massey and emphasizing the importance of ensuring her safety. Harris believes that Massey deserved to be safe and her tragic passing is a reminder of the work that needs to be done to better protect individuals in our society.
In a statement, President Biden emphasized the importance of justice for Massey’s family and reiterated his call for the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This significant police reform bill is named after the Minnesota man whose tragic killing by a police officer in 2020 sparked widespread protests across the country.