A 46-year-old Waynesboro woman is dead following an aggravated assault in a 13th Street home last night.
The suspect is in custody this morning after a eluding police in a chase last night that went beyond city lines extending into the Augusta, Nelson and Albemarle counties.
The victim, identified as Laura V. Humphries, died on the scene due to injuries sustained in the assault.
The suspect, Gaines Randolph Thomas, 57, was arrested for homicide this morning after Augusta County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call for a suicidal subject, identified as Thomas, who was armed with a knife. Thomas was arrested at 8:15 a.m. in the 700 block of Old Whitehill Road.
According to the Waynesboro Police Department, officers were initially called to the 13th Street home for a reported domestic disturbance at 9:21 p.m. on Sept. 10.
When officers arrived, the suspect, Thomas, left the scene in a white BMW SUV. When officers attempted a traffic stop, he led them on a pursuit with a chase into Augusta and Nelson counties. Due to the reckless driving of the suspect, officers lost sight of the vehicle in Albemarle County.
Officers remained on the scene of the deadly incident in the 300 block of 13th Street overnight as part of the investigation.
Thomas has been charged with two felonies:
- One count of second-degree murder
- One count of eluding a law enforcement officer
Additional charges are pending from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.
nyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the WPD at (540) 942-6675.
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Crystal Graham
