New Jersey Assemblyman Reginald W. Atkins (D-Union) issued the following statement regarding the tragic death of Sonya Massey in Chicago, emphasizing the urgent need for policing reforms. Body camera footage shows Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Deputy, shooting Massey three times inside her home. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
“Sonya Massey should be alive today. When she called for help earlier this month, an officer killed her instead of helping her. This all-too-frequent tragedy is robbing our communities of their future and the lives of people who should be here today. We must rethink our approach to policing, hold police accountable for excessive force, and invest in proactive, root-cause prevention strategies.”
“Our thoughts are with the communities whose calls for help are often met with violence. We have much work to do to ensure our justice system lives up to its name. In honor of Sonya’s memory and others, we must achieve meaningful reforms to advance the safety of all communities. We join in commending the swift action of the Illinois Attorney’s Office and call on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”
