PH SEEKS THOROUGH PROBE INTO VIRGINIA SHOOTING

By Don Tagala, ABS CBN North America Bureau

May 31, 2013

Sterling, VA — Operations are back to normal at the Costco store a day after Mylene “Mhai” De Leon Scott was fatally shot multiple times by authorities.

The 38-year-old Filipino-American reportedly snapped after the pizza samples she was handing out to customers ran out.

Witnesses said, Mylene was waving a knife and pair of scissors as she threatened co-workers and customers.

The sheriff’s deputies were then called to the scene.

A Filipina shopper, who requested anonymity was just a stone’s throw away from where it all happened.

“I saw commotion at the back of the cheese rack. My husband and I saw a sheriff’s deputy, with his gun drawn. He was yelling, “drop it, drop it!” Then there were three gun shots fired,” said the witness.

The witness said she and her husband hid behind one of the refrigerators.

An official statement released by the Virginia State Police said the deputies gave Scott several orders to the drop the weapons but instead of unarming herself, she allegedly advanced towards the deputies, prompting them to deploy a Taser.

But when that did not stop her, multiple shots were fired by the deputy, killing the FIlipina at the scene.

“I think on the side of the police they were trying to be safe. They were probably trying to ensure that she wouldn’t harm anyone, ” Tess said, “at least that’s my speculation. ”

One of the deputies was hurt from a bullet ricochet and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Filipino community members are demanding a thorough investigation on why there seemed to have been an excessive use of force in subduing the knife-wielding woman.

Filipina shopper Tita Dumagsa said she could not believe what happened to her kababayan.

“I don’t think that they should have killed her right off,” Dumagsa said, “It’s very sad and totally unnecessary, other means could have been done to disable her.”

“Excessive force I guess, was sort of implemented in this one, kailangan negotiations,” NaFFAA Community Leader Bing Branigin said.

Mylene’s uncle and ex husband declined Balitang America’s request for an interview at this time.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. said, as they grieve with the family of the victim, the embassy is calling for a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation of the Costco shooting.

In a statement, Cuisia said the embassy will closely coordinate with Virginia authorities handling the case.

“We share the concerns expressed by Ms. Scott’s family in the Philippines and the members of the Filipino-American Community that
law enforcement officials may have responded with disproportionate force. We request authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation of the incident,” Cuisia said