In a tragically unfolding scene at a bustling Sterling, Virginia Costco, a 38-year-old Filipino woman named Mhai Scott was shot and killed by a Loudoun County sheriff's deputy. The fatal encounter took place on May 29, 2013, after store employees reported that Scott, a contract employee handing out food samples, was behaving erratically and threatening her colleagues with a knife and scissors.
Deputies arriving at the scene found Scott armed with the weapons.
According to reports, she was making strange comments and appeared agitated. The deputies issued commands for her to drop the knife and scissors, but she did not comply. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, one deputy deployed a Taser, but it was ineffective in subduing her. Scott then advanced towards the deputies, at which point one of the officers fired multiple shots, striking and killing her at the scene. A second deputy sustained a minor injury during the incident, possibly from a ricocheting bullet, and was later treated and released from a local hospital.
The Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney's office conducted an investigation into the shooting. After a review of the evidence and witness statements, the prosecutor determined that the deputy's use of force was justifiable self-defense. The investigation concluded that the deputy acted to protect himself and others in a situation where a lethal threat was perceived. The deputy who fired the fatal shots was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure, and later returned to duty. While Scott's family and members of the Filipino American community questioned the necessity of the lethal force, the official investigation found no grounds for criminal charges against the officer. The incident left the community shaken and prompted discussions about law enforcement's response to individuals in mental health crises, as Scott's mother mentioned her daughter had been dealing with depression.
