WAYNESBORO, VA (Rocktown Now) — Waynesboro Police are investigating an alleged homicide following a domestic disturbance on Tuesday night.

Officers say that at approximately 9:21pm they responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 300 block of 13th Street in the city. Upon arrival, officers say they observed a male, later identified as 57-year-old Gaines Randolph Thomas from Waynesboro, entering a white 2018 BMW X5 SUV and attempted to initiate a traffic stop with emergency lights and sirens. Officers say that Thomas failed to stop which led to a pursuit that extended beyond the city and extended through Augusta and Nelson Counties and was not found at the time.

At the same time, other responding officers entered the residence where the initial call originated and discovered a female victim inside the home showing apparent injuries stemming from an aggravated assault. Officers and medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures but the victim, identified as 46-year-old Laura V. Humphries from Waynesboro, died at the scene.

Officers say the case is being actively investigated as a homicide and that they remained on the scene throughout the night to develop and pursue additional leads. The overnight investigation led to the issuance of two felony warrants for Thomas’ arrest for the following alleged offenses:

  • 1 count of Second Degree Murder
  • 1 count of Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer

However, officers say that this morning (September 11) at approximately 8:15am, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a suicidal subject identified as Gaines Randolph Thomas in the 700 block of Old Whitehill Road. Deputies encountered Thomas armed with a knife, but he was taken into custody.

Additional charges are pending from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

Waynesboro Police urge anyone with information about either of these incidents to contact Detective Nystrom at the Waynesboro Police Department at 540-942-6675.