Harris calls Sonya Massey's family

Source: NBC News

July 26, 2024, 4:14 PM EDT


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.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kamala-harris-calls-sonya-massey-family-rcna163881