Shooting at Costco: Details Expected this Week

New information about exactly what transpired March 29 at the Sterling Costco has been sparse since the day a deputy shot and killed Mhai Scott, 38, of Sterling, VA, but Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman said he expects to release information about the case this week.

Deputies responded to reports of a disorderly worker at the Costco near Cascades Parkway and Route 7. According to witnesses and reports from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Scott was wielding sharp objects and lunged at a deputy. Another deputy then fired multiple shots and killed her, according to an LCSO report. A deputy was injured during the incident, reportedly by gunfire.

Plowman said he was not sure if the report would include any new information, but that it would provide some of the facts in the case.

“We are hoping to release a summary of the substantive information to the public within the next week,” Plowman stated in an email response. 

During an unrelated ceremony in Leesburg on Friday, Plowman said he was going that afternoon to review evidence with the LCSO.

Early LCSO reports stated the officers involved were placed on paid leave during the investigation. However, the LCSO did not respond to further inquiries about the officers or the department’s policy for officers involved in shootings. 

All calls related to the incident were referred to the Plowman’s office. Plowman’s office did not respond until he sent an email Thursday.

In the email, he states that his office has not finished reviewing the case.

“In response to your email this morning, yes, the information regarding the Costco incident is currently under review by my office,” he said. “While I appreciate the public interest in a response, the information is voluminous and we are going through everything carefully. I think you would agree that this is not something that we should rush through.”

Plowman said he was unaware of the disposition of the deputies involved.

The Virginia State Police assisted with the incident, but is not investigating.

The case has raised questions in the community about exactly what happened and how public safety officers respond to incident in public places. Readers commenting on stories have been offered both praise and criticism for the LCSO.

Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) said he’s becoming anxious about presenting information to the public, but at this point, “I’m waiting to see the results of the report.”

The Philippine Embassy, which initially released a statement, and Club Demonstration Services Inc., the contractor that employed Scott and provided workers to Costco, have not responded to requests from Patch for more information.