Vice President Kamala Harris called her family on Friday Sonya MasseyMassey, a 36-year-old black woman, was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in her home in Illinois, according to family members of Massey who spoke to NBC News.
Massey was 36 was killed on July 6 after calling the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office because he feared a hunter might be out, according to an attorney for his family and Illinois State Police.
“It made me feel better today,” said James Wilburn, Massey’s father. “He gave us his heartfelt condolences and said he is 100% with us that this senseless killing must stop.”
Shadia Massey, Sonya Massey’s cousin, said she was touched by Harris’ call.
“That call there meant the world to my family right now,” he said. “I mean, it definitely broke every one of us. “From all the phone calls, thousands and thousands of messages, phone calls and inboxes, it really meant the world to our family.”
Massey described being emotional when she heard Harris speak.
“That was his voice to me,” she said. “It’s just that I was Shadia Massey and I got to talk to the Vice President of the United States. Her taking time out of her busy schedule to make a little phone call to our family meant the world to me. This is the most amazing thing that has happened in my life.”
“He’s definitely in my voice,” Shadia Massey said.
Body camera video Footage released Monday showed Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner talking to Massey outside her home, then going inside.
Located appeared to increase When Massey took the pot out of the oven. Grayson cursed Massey and told him, “You better not. By God, I will hit you right in the face.” Both deputies yelled at Massey and dropped the pot before Grayson opened fire.
It was Grayson was fired and charged with the charges first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and dereliction of duty. He pleaded not guilty.
Massey’s father said Harris also talked about changing the way officers are hired.
“This job-to-job shopping, we have to do something to prevent these people from being able to move from one department to another, to be passed around to save money by not sending people through academia,” he said. He said what Harris told him. “You are allowed to resign from one department, then you get a job in the next department. And if it had stopped, my daughter would still be alive. This man should never have carried a badge or a weapon. Never”.
Benjamin Crump, a national human rights attorney who works with the Massey family, said Friday that Harris spoke to the family about the need to move on. George Floyd Justice in Police Acta bill that would create a federal registry of police officers and their records.
“He said, unfortunately, they still have to fight for it,” Crump said.
She also said Harris spent most of his time talking to Sonya Massey’s son, Malachi.
Malachi Hill Massey, who lost his mother, said he cried throughout the call.
“I really have no words,” he said. “I was very emotional. I don’t know how. I started to cry. So, this is crazy. To be honest, I have no words for it.”
Crump also said he called several families Harris represents, and that Friday’s call underscored the vice president’s commitment to civil rights and justice.
“He’s as busy right now as he is with foreign countries and leaders saying, ‘I will not forget this Black woman and her family.’ It speaks to his character,” Crump said.
He also said Harris left a voicemail for his family D’Vontaye Mitchella black man who died last month outside a Milwaukee hotel after being pinned down by hotel security.
NBC News obtained a recording of the voice message Harris left for Mitchell’s mother, Brenda Giles.
“Attorney Kramp, Kamala Harris is calling and I was hoping I could talk to her. Mrs. Giles directly,” Harris said in the message. “But I just want to leave this voicemail to share with you and then we’ll try and get back in touch sometime soon. Mrs. Giles, I want you to know how sorry I am for the loss of your son D’Vontay. I’m sorry for what your family is going through. I’m so sorry about everything and of course his passing and all that. I know your grief and pain is unbearable, but know that I’m thinking of you and all of your family.”
Harris continued, “Of course it will be very important to have Attorney Crump around. He is a true fighter for justice. But I am thinking of you and sending you my prayers and all my best wishes. And I will talk to you soon. Take care. This is Kamala Harris. Goodbye.”
When reached for comment, Harris’ campaign referred NBC News to the vice president’s office, but did not receive a response.