FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Fresno County Sheriff’s Department says a convicted rapist, out on parole, shot and seriously wounded two veteran correctional officers Saturday morning inside the lobby of the downtown Fresno jail.
Officer Toamalama Scanlan remains in critical condition. Officer Juanita Davila is in critical, but stable condition. They were both shot in the head and neck area once. Because they are not “peace officers” neither Scanlan nor Davila were armed with handguns. This policy may change soon, according to Fresno Co. Sheriff Margaret Mims who addressed the issue during an emotionally-charged news conference Saturday afternoon. (Watch below)
The suspect, 37 year old Thong Vang, was paroled in 2014. He was subdued and arrested at the scene shortly after the double shooting. Vang had served 16 years in prison after being convicted of raping three children.
The initial investigation reveals that Vang had been acting suspiciously when he arrived in the lobby of the jail around 8:30am Saturday. He tried to cut in the visitation line. That’s when officers instructed him to take a seat. A scuffle ensued between Vang, Scanlan and Davila. As more than a dozen people waited in line, including several children, Vang allegedly produced a weapon and began shooting.
As backup was requested an armed Lieutenant opened fire on Vang and Vang returned fire. Neither were hit. According to Sheriff Mims, Vang then retreated into a hallway before dropping his weapon and saying that he wanted to be arrested. Vang was held at gunpoint while Davila and Scanlan were pulled out of the lobby to ambulances outside.
Vang was eventually tased and taken into custody. He’s facing two counts of attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a gun and attempting to bring drugs into jail.
WATCH SHERIFF MIMS NEWS CONFERENCE HERE
Davila has been on the force for 18 years while Scanlan, a former Fresno State football player, is a 10 year veteran of FCSD.
