Woman Handing Out Samples at Va. Costco Shot Dead by Police After Acting Strangely

Police tried to subdue her with stun gun, then shot her
By Mila Mimica
NBC4 Washington
May. 30, 2013

A Sterling, Va., Costco opened at its regular time Thursday, less than a day after sheriff's deputies fatally shot a woman who came at officers with scissors and a knife.

The melee began at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, when store employees noticed the woman acting oddly while handing out pizza samples, said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.

The woman has been identified as 38-year-old Mhai Scott of Sterling.

Scott reportedly became upset when she ran out of pizza, reported Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey. Witnesses said she was waving a knife and scissors, threatening employees.

Deputies were called to the store to handle the disturbance. After they arrived, Scott -- who worked for a company that handles sampling at Costco stores -- approached the officers with the sharp items, authorities said.

One deputy tried to use a stun gun on Scott, but Chapman said the stun gun "did not work," and another deputy fatally shot her.