FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A jury inside Fresno County Superior Court has found accused Fresno County Jail shooter Thong Vang guilty on all charges.
The ex-convict from Laos was found guilty on Thursday, March 29th of two counts of felony attempted murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon in the shooting of correctional Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan in the Fresno County Jail lobby.
Both officers were unarmed when they were shot and wounded, back on September 3rd, 2016 as they tried to escort Vang out of the lobby.
Both officers were left in critical condition.
Vang told the jury that he was trying to get arrested – when he went into the jail and fired at the officers. He says he was trying to turn himself in as he thought his girlfriend was setting him up.
Vang was released from prison in 2014 after serving 16 years for raping three girls.
He had waived his right to a speedy trial.
Vang faces a maximum penalty of 110 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on April 27th.
Correctional Officer Malama Scanlan is currently receiving treatment at UCLA Medical Center. Following today’s court verdict, his family issued this public statement; “On behalf of the entire Scanlan Family, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Prosecutor William Lacy, lead sheriff homicide Detective Hector Palma and the entire Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for their relentless support to seek justice for Officer Scanlan and Officer Davila. We are grateful to finally have legal resolution with this case and pleased in the jury’s unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts. We appreciate the uncompromising dedication of all our supporters who have sustained our ability to remain vigilant and positive throughout this entire ordeal. There is no doubt that Malama, and we as a family, draw strength from this community of support. We are indebted to each and every one of you. As we close this chapter, we can now direct this foundation of love and prayer to his efforts to rehabilitate.”
Correctional Officer Juanita Davila has issued this statement; “Today justice was served. I’m relieved that this case is finally over. My family and I can now put this behind us and look forward to a beautiful future. I want to give thanks to my family, friends, the community, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and its jail division and most of all, to God for always being by our side.”
