by Jennifer Porter Gore, Word in Black

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, called for police reforms after the death of Sonia Massey, an unarmed Black woman shot to death by a white officer in her own home in Springfield, Illinois, after reporting a possible burglar. 

Massey “deserved to be safe” at home, but instead died at the hands of an officer “sworn to protect and serve,” Harris said in a statement issued Tuesday. She was reacting to police body camera footage of the shooting, which authorities released Monday. 

The vice president’s thoughts are also with communities “whose calls for help are often met with suspicion, distrust, and even violence,” according to her statement. “The disturbing footage released yesterday confirms what we know from the lived experiences of so many”: that the justice system doesn’t live up to its name. 

“We must come together to achieve meaningful reforms that advance the safety of all communities,” Harris said.

Sean Grayson, the Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who shot Massey, was indicted for first-degree murder in the shooting. He is currently being held without bond. 

Posted on the Illinois State Police website, the 36-minute video details what unfolded around 1 a.m. July 7 at Massey’s home in Springfield, Illinois. It shows Grayson and his unnamed partner responding to her 911 call, checking the exterior of her residence, then chatting with Massey in her living room. 

“Don’t hurt me,” Massey says, before inviting the officers inside her home. 

Grayson and his partner had been at the home for roughly 30 minutes, and he’d already checked Massey’s identification after asking her for her last name several times. But the calm interaction suddenly explodes into chaos after Grayson orders Massey to move a pot of boiling water from the stove.

When Massey says, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson draws his weapon, orders her to drop the pot, and then shoots Massey in the face as she cowers behind a kitchen counter, hands raised. 

After shooting Massey, Grayson discouraged his partner from attempting to offer Massey medical help while she was still breathing. The second deputy — whose name hasn’t been released — tried to help the victim anyway, but it was too late.  

Along with the murder, Grayson was charged with official misconduct and aggravated battery with a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty on all charges. 

“In this moment of hope for our country to recognize the leadership and value of Black women, we are yet again reminded that Black people are not safe at the hands of police, whether calling for help, being pulled over, or sleeping in our own homes,” said Jamila Hodge, executive director of Equal Justice USA. 

“It is beyond comprehension why our country continues to pour billions into policing instead of proven community-based and trauma-informed responses. We must end the centuries of racist policies in our criminal legal system that enable this tragic killing and harm. Sonya Massey deserved better. We all do,” Hodge said. 

The prosecutors charging Grayson pointed out that his body camera was not on and didn’t record the interaction. But his partner’s body camera recorded the entire incident.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family, announced that the U.S. Department of Justice will also investigate the shooting. 

(Jennifer Porter Gore is a writer living in the Washington, D.C., area.)