Dead Costco Contractor: "Respected Employee"

The president of the company that employed a Sterling woman who was shot and killed by Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies at the Sterling Costco Wednesday called her a "respected associate" of the company.

Mhai Scott, 38, was working at the store as an employee of Club Demonstration Services - a California-based firm that provides workers that hand out food samples- when she began acting strangely, Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies said.

Deputies were called to the store about 3 p.m. Wednesday after Scott reached for a knife. Deputies tried to subdue her with a taser, LCSO said. When she continued to come at authorities, an officer fired, LCSO said.

Don Dohanyos, President of Club Demonstration Services, said Scott had worked part-time for the company since October.

 "She was a valued member of the team and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and everyone who was affected by this event," he said in a statement. "She was a respected associate and we appreciate everything she contributed to the company. We have grief counselors working with our associates and ask that you respect the privacy of all involved."

"We are extremely saddened by the situation and are treating this with the utmost sensitivity," he said. "Our focus right now is on our associates and the Costco associates and members affected by this event.”

Members of Scott's family told NBC4 she was the divorced mother of two daughters, ages 8 and 12. The TV station also reported Scott's mother and sister did an interview with TV in the Phillipines and decried the use of police force.

Shoppers and employees at Costco described a chaotic scene on Wednesday.

Shopper Nora LaTeef told The Washington Post she was in the food court of the Costco when uniformed sheriff’s deputies burst into the store. The deputies headed toward what appeared to be an employee lounge and then dashed down the aisles, crouching as they moved, LaTeef said.

LaTeef told the Post she could tell that the deputies “were coming in for action” and that she remarked to her mother that they should probably leave. As her father went to fill up his soda, LaTeef said, five muffled gunshots were heard.

She said employees and customers were screaming: “Get out of the Costco! Get out of Costco!” as they ran to the exit.

The case is still under investigation, LCSO officials said. Costco reopened on Thursday.

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