Two unarmed officers were critically injured after being shot by a visitor in the lobby of a central California jail, authorities said.
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After reviewing Saturday’s shooting that left correctional Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan in critical condition, authorities will decide whether to alter procedures in the public area of the Fresno County jail, sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.
Visiting hours resumed Sunday evening when the jail lobby reopened. No changes in security are expected at this time, but will be looked into for future implementation.
The two veterans of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are in the hospital after being shot in the head and the neck areas, the sheriff’s office said.
“It’s underrated about the danger that our correctional officers face”, Mims said. Two unarmed officers were critically injured after being shot by a visitor in the lobby of a central California jail, authorities said Saturday. Vang ran to a door leading to the records area of the jail. Officer Scanlan, who had worked at the Fresno Jail for approximately 10 years, had previously worked in youth corrections for seven years.
Vang served 16 years in prison after pleading guilty in 1998 to the gang-rape of three young girls.
Officers Davila and Scanlan remain in critical condition Sunday afternoon according to the Fresno Bee although Officer Davila is reported to be stable.
A lieutenant and Vang exchanged gunfire, but neither was hit. About 15 people, including small children, ran to safety. Vang was released in 2014 and has no criminal history since then. She saw both of the injured officers in the lobby and can’t get the scene out of her mind. Tulare Avenue to M Street is closed and the Fresno County Jail remains on lockdown. The Fresno State Bulldogs sent out a tweet in support of the injured officer saying that the Bulldog family was praying for him. Law enforcement officials and others are seen outside the lobby of the Fresno County Jail after reports of an active shooter in the main lobby of the jail in downtown Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.
(Silvia Flores/The Fresno Bee via AP).
Authorities say the pair approached Vang after he tried to cut in the jail visitors line and began pacing near a secure area Saturday.
“This is insane. This isn’t supposed to happen”, Rodriguez said.
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Officers attempting to subdue Vang used a stun gun to no effect before firing shots at him, Mims said.
