Virginia sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a 36-year-old women armed with a knife after responding to a domestic incident Friday morning in Loudon County.

The Virginia State Police said Loudoun County deputies got a call about 4 a.m. about a domestic argument and were met at the door by Faubricia Virtaux Gainer, who came out of the apartment and refused to drop the knife she was holding, according to WTTG.

Deputies fired when she lunged at them, police said. Gainer was taken to Reston Hospital Center, where she died.

Inside the apartment, deputies found a 15-year-old girl and a 38-year-old woman, both suffering from stab wounds, Inside NoVa reported. They were taken to Inova Loudoun Hospital for treatment and are expected to survive. Authorities said they were stabbed during an argument with Gainer.

Two other children in the apartment were not hurt.

Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said the two women were friends and that he believes the children were in a back bedroom when the incident took place.

“I don’t think they witnessed it,” he said. “I think she was outside in the stairwell or outside the front door when it all occurred. However, it’s always tragic when somebody loses their life in these incidents.”

An across the hall neighbor told WRC she awoke to the sound of kids “screaming and crying,” and, minutes later, deputies arriving.

“That’s when I hear, ‘Hey drop the weapon, drop the weapon!’” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. “And that’s when I hear the shooting.”

She said she saw Gainer naked and bleeding on the hallway floor, fighting with deputies who were trying to administer first aid.

Chapman said the two deputies who fired shots have been put on paid administrative leave while state police investigate the shooting.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

Source: This post first appeared on