Convicted Child Rapist Shoots, Critically Injures 2 California Correctional Officers

A convicted child rapist visiting Fresno County Jail opened fire on two correctional officers early Saturday morning, putting them in critical condition.

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Complex Original

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A convicted child rapist and known gang member visiting the Fresno County Jail opened fire on two correctional officers early Saturday morning, according to a statement by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

The gunman, 37-year-old Thong Vang, reportedly became upset when he was told he couldn't cut the line of visitors, and displayed "signs of bizarre behavior by pacing back and forth next to a metal detector," the statement said. When correctional officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan told him to sit down, a "struggle ensued," according to the same report. Vang then pulled a handgun and shot Davila and Scanlan, who have nearly three decades of experience between them.

 

Davila, who is reportedly in critical but stable condition, and Scanlan, who is in critical condition, obtained wounds to their heads and necks, and both underwent surgery Saturday. 

Vang exchanged gunfire with other correctional officers at the jail, but neither party was hit. Vang reportedly did not submit to arrest until he was Tased at the scene, when he ran into an adjacent hallway before "convey[ing] to officers he was giving up and wanted to be arrested."

He has since been charged with attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a gun, and bringing drugs to jail, according to an NBC News report. Vang was in prison for 16 years from 1998 to 2014 after being convicted of raping multiple minors under 14 years old.

The jail announced it has closed indefinitely to the public in the wake of the shooting.

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