Kamala Harris calls family of Sonya Massey, Black woman shot in face by police

WASHINGTON - Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday called the family of Sonya Massey, the Black woman who was fatally shot in the face by an Illinois sheriff's deputy earlier this month, according to Harris' office.

Massey, 36, died in her home after being shot while holding a pot of water on July 6. Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean P. Grayson, who was responding to Massey's call about a possible intruder, is charged with her murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

NBC News was the first to report the call between Harris and Massey’s family. “It’s made me feel a lot better today,” James Wilburn, Massey’s father, told the television network. Harris "gave us her heartfelt condolences, and she let us know that she is with us, 100% that this senseless killing," he added.

Harris, the presumptive 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, issued a statement on Tuesday honoring Massey and pledging that “we have much work to do to ensure that our justice system fully lives up to its name” following the release of the body camera footage of the shooting.

“Sonya Massey deserved to be safe,” Harris said. “After she called the police for help, she was tragically killed in her own home at the hands of a responding officer sworn to protect and serve. Doug and I send strength and prayers to Sonya’s family and friends, and we join them in grieving her senseless death.”

Massey was killed by a bullet that hit beneath her left eye, an autopsy released on Friday confirmed. The body cam footage from officers who responded to Massey’s call was released earlier this week and sparked national outrage.

The Department of Justice also opened an investigation into the shooting of Massey, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said on Tuesday.

Contributing: Steven Spearie, USA TODAY NETWORK

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: VP Harris calls Sonya Massey's family, offers sorrow for killing