Feature image via Lisa Trubnikova’s Facebook
Coast Guard officer Lisa Trubnikova and her wife, Anna Trubnikova, were shot in their home in Bourne, Massachusetts by 31-year-old co-worker Adrian Loya on Thursday. Lisa was killed while Anna remains in the hospital in stable condition. Speaking to The Boston Globe, Lisa’s family members said Loya, who entered the couple’s home and opened fire with two .223 caliber rifles, a shotgun and a .9 mm handgun, had been obsessed and fixated with Lisa since they were stationed in Alaska together.
Once police arrived at the scene of the shooting, Loya opened fire on them, seriously injuring Officer Jared MacDonald. He blocked police from entering the Trubnikovas’ condominium complex by setting a car on fire, and also planted fake bombs, in anticipation of the standoff, authorities said. Officer MacDonald is in stable condition in the hospital; his family believes he will make a full recovery.
Lisa’s brother, Luis Berlanga, told the Globe that Lisa and Anna met in a New Orleans Coast Guard recruitment office and began dating when his sister was stationed in Alaska.
“You couldn’t imagine two people who were better for each other,” he said. “They were so close. When they walked into a room, it lit up.”
They married in New York a couple of years ago, he said, and moved to Bourne together. Lisa Trubnikova was stationed at Joint Base Cape Cod in Bourne, and Anna Trubnikova was stationed at Woods Hole. Growing up in a Christian family in Texas, Lisa struggled with her identity in high school and was very shy, her brother said.
“She held it in,” he said.
But after high school, she came out as gay, with her family’s full support. When she met Anna, the family was thrilled.
Loya pleaded not guilty to murder charges the day of the shooting, and has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. He is being held without bail.
United States Coast Guard Rear Admiral Linda Fagan, Commander of the First Coast Guard District issued the following statement:
In the wake of this tragedy, I invite everyone to join me in offering our thoughts and prayers for the families, friends and loved ones of those impacted. In committing our support to them, our focus turns to remembering the life and service of Petty Officer Lisa Trubnikova and aiding the recovery of Petty Officer Anna Trubnikova.
Luis Berlanga said that while his family was devastated about Lisa’s death, they “took comfort that she had accomplished so much in a short time. She had served her country, traveled, and fallen in love.”
You can donate to a GoFundMe campaign for Anna Trubnikova’s medical expenses here.
