GREENVILLE, S.C. – Newly released body camera footage and 911 audio reveal the events leading to Greenville County deputies fatally shooting a woman who threatened deputies with a knife after telling dispatchers she was going to do “something stupid,” the Post and Courier reported.
Officers found the woman armed with a knife outside a Food Lion in the early hours of Nov. 23, 2024, according to the report. Sheriff Hobart Lewis later deemed the shooting justified under the department’s use-of-force policy.
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The incident began when Lewis called 911 stating she was “planning on doing something stupid.” While she denied feeling suicidal, she warned the dispatcher she might harm deputies if they arrived.
Two deputies responded to the plaza and attempted to engage the woman in conversation. Body camera footage shows her pulling out a kitchen knife and lunging at one of the deputies. Deputies deployed a TASER and repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapon.
In an effort to de-escalate, deputies spoke with the woman for several minutes, offering support and using less-lethal options, including a beanbag shotgun. One deputy encouraged her to seek help.
“I think you called because you know you want to do the right thing,” the deputy can be heard saying.
Despite these efforts, Lewis lunged at deputies a second time, video shows. Deputies opened fire, striking her five times. They immediately provided medical assistance until EMS transported her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
None of the deputies were injured in the confrontation, according to the report. The deputies involved were placed on paid administrative leave during the use-of-force review, as per standard protocol.
