Woman shot and killed by Greenwood police after chase

GREENWOOD — A woman is dead after she was shot and killed by four Greenwood police officers late Tuesday night, according to the police chief.

Officers began chasing Monica Vaught, 49, after someone reported a possibly intoxicated driver around 11:15 p.m. near Madison Avenue and County Line Road, Greenwood Police Department Chief James Ison said.

Vaught eventually went into the parking lot of the police department and struck several police cars, Ison said. Officers attempted to block her in using their vehicles, but she was able to get out.

She then drove toward officers in the parking lot, Ison said. Officers fired shots at her and she continued driving toward them.

Vaught continued to drive towards officers and they fired shots at her again, Ison said. Officers then got her out of the car and administered first aid.

"It's a sad situation all the way around. A woman lost her life. That's a mother. That's a daughter that a family no longer has. The four officers involved have to live with that for the rest of their life," Ison said.

Ison and prosecutors have reviewed video from body and surveillance cameras. Ison said it would be released at another time.

"The officers went through a progression with means to deescalate the situation and tried to end it peacefully, but ultimately, their lives were put into danger and they had to react," Ison added.

Ison said he wasn't prepared "at all" to say it was "an attack on the station."

"It's bizarre," he said. "I would love to know why. We may never know why."

The coroner's office said the woman's name is being withheld until family members have been notified.

Additional details haven't been released at this time.