Loudoun Deputy Fatally Shoots Reston Woman Armed With Knife

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Loudoun County sheriff's deputy shot and killed a Reston woman who was armed with a knife at the entrance to an apartment in the Cascades area of the county early Friday morning, according to the sheriff's office.

Shortly after 4 a.m., Loudoun County deputies went to an apartment in the 46600 block of Ellicott Square in response to a report of a "domestic-related incident."

When deputies arrived at the apartment, they encountered Faubricia Virtaux Gainer, 36, of Reston near the apartment's entrance. Despite deputies' commands, Gainer refused to drop the knife she was holding. She then lunged at the deputies and was shot, according to the Virginia State Police.

At the request of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Fairfax Field Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Gainer was taken by ambulance to Reston Hospital Center, where she died from the gunshot injuries. Her body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy.

When they went inside the apartment, deputies found one female with stab wounds. The stabbing victim and a 15-year-old juvenile were taken to Inova Loudoun Hospital for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries.

No deputies were injured during the incident, the LCSO said.

Once they complete the investigation, the Virginia State Police will turn over their findings to the Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Office for review.