~ Press release issued by Page County Sheriff’s Office
LURAY, Sept. 18 — The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for the City of Winchester, serving as special prosecutor for Page County, has completed its review of the June 23, 2026, officer-involved shooting on Honeyville Road and determined that the use of deadly force was justified.
The special prosecutor reviewed evidence provided by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, including witness statements, body-worn camera footage, Ring camera footage capturing audio from the incident, physical evidence, and written reports.
Deputies were dispatched to the residence at approximately 4:39 p.m. on June 23 for a welfare check involving Claudia Muterspaugh. After making several attempts to contact her, deputies entered the residence via the landlord and observed Muterspaugh armed with a handgun and threatening to harm herself.
Deputies withdrew from the residence and began crisis negotiations. Trained crisis negotiators communicated with Muterspaugh for approximately five hours.
At approximately 10:10 p.m., Muterspaugh exited the residence while still armed and moved toward a nearby vehicle. Deputies approached in an effort to prevent her from leaving the property while armed.
According to the special prosecutor’s findings, a less-lethal Taser was deployed, but was ineffective. Muterspaugh then fired one round, grazing her own head. She subsequently lowered the firearm in the direction of deputies and continued moving toward officers positioned near the vehicle.
Despite commands to stop and show her hands, Muterspaugh continued forward and pointed the firearm toward officers. Deputies, believing there was an imminent threat to their lives and the lives of others, discharged their service weapons.
Muterspaugh was struck and fell to the ground. Deputies immediately secured the firearm and began providing medical aid. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Page County EMS.
In its conclusion, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office determined that the officers were faced with an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm and that the force used was justified.
“This was a tragic situation for everyone involved. Our deputies spent several hours that evening trying to reach a peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, the situation reached a point where we were faced with an immediate threat and had to respond. We appreciate the thorough and independent review by the Virginia State Police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Our thoughts remain with Ms. Muterspaugh’s family and everyone affected by this incident,” Sheriff Chad Cubbage.
For more information on the Page County Sheriff’s Office,
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