FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Thong Vang, the suspect in last weekend’s jailhouse shooting that critically wounded two correctional officers, made his first court appearance Thursday morning. However, his arraignment was delayed until September 15th.
On Wednesday, the Fresno County District Attorney filed two counts of attempted murder against the 37 year old convicted rapist.
Vang is accused of opening fire on corrections officers Toamalama Scanlan and Juanita Davila, in the main jail lobby last Saturday morning. Both survived shots to the head and neck but are listed in critical condition.
Vang’s also being charged with being a felon in possession of a gun. The documented gang member spent more than a decade in prison for the rape of three young girls. He was released on parole in 2014.
After getting out of prison, federal authorities attempted to have him deported back to his native Laos, but the Laotian government was unresponsive.
A GoFundMe page for Scanlan and Davila has been established.
