Vigil for Greenville Shooting Victim
The Greenville community mourns the loss of 21-year-old Daziana Natasha Kian’te Lewis, who was shot by sheriff’s deputies during a distress call. The incident, escalating from a call for help to a deadly confrontation, has raised urgent questions about law enforcement practices. Daziana’s family claims she sought assistance, contradicting the initial narrative. As the fifth individual shot by deputies this year, this tragic event highlights the concerning trend of violence in the area. An ongoing investigation aims to uncover the specifics, with body camera footage set for release in January 2025.
Greenville, South Carolina, has found itself at the center of a heartbreaking story as the community mourns the loss of a 21-year-old woman, Daziana Natasha Kian’te Lewis. The young woman was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies in a tense encounter that unfolded in the early hours of November 23, 2024. This incident is stirring a lot of discussions and concerns within the community.
Everything began around 2:15 a.m. when a call was made to 911, alerting authorities about a woman who was allegedly making threats to harm others. However, reports from Daziana’s family have complicated the narrative. Her father, Jeff Lewis, insists that it was his daughter who called for help, seeking assistance rather than creating a crisis. This has led to a flood of questions swirling in the minds of community members and loved ones.
After deputies arrived at the scene, a verbal altercation reportedly took place between Daziana and the law enforcement officers. Just 17 minutes after they arrived, around 2:37 a.m., the situation escalated dramatically. Daziana brandished a knife, which prompted multiple deputies to open fire, resulting in her suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was then rushed to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, at 2:54 a.m.
This tragic event marks Daziana as the fifth individual shot and killed by Greenville County Sheriff’s deputies in 2024. This year is proving to be one of the deadliest for law enforcement-related shootings in the area since 2010. So far, there have been six officer-involved shootings reported, a noticeable increase from the three shootings documented in 2023. Such statistics raise a significant alarm about the rising tide of violence that officers and citizens alike are facing.
The county sheriff’s office has reported that 2024 has seen a staggering number of law enforcement shootings, the highest in the state. Sheriff Hobart Lewis discussed the alarming nature of these events, emphasizing the daily risks faced by deputies while trying to maintain peace and order. He also noted that the circumstances surrounding each shooting often involve a complex array of factors, including the deadly potential of knives, which can be just as dangerous as firearms depending on proximity.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, there is an ongoing investigation led by the State Law Enforcement Division. While many details remain under wraps, the sheriff’s office plans to release body camera footage from the shooting in January 2025. This will hopefully provide some clarity to those seeking answers about what happened during that tragic night.
In addition to Daziana’s case, earlier in 2024, other fatal incidents involving the sheriff’s office have raised eyebrows. These include a man shot outside his home and another who was killed after barricading himself inside. Each of these situations adds to the growing conversation about law enforcement practices and the prevention of such tragedies.
As Greenville processes this devastating news, residents are left to reflect on how such a tragedy could unfold and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community stands united in heartfelt sympathy for Daziana’s family, hoping for healing and understanding amidst this troubling situation.
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