
The Latest: Fresno jail lobby reopens a day after shooting
FRESNO, Calif. – The Latest on a shooting inside a central California jail that wounded two officers (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
The lobby of a central California jail has reopened a day after an ex-convict shot and critically wounded two unarmed officers.
Fresno County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti says people can resume visiting inmates Sunday evening.
The correctional officers were shot in the head and neck areas during a struggle with a man who tried to cut to the front of the visitors’ line and began pacing near a secure area of the jail.
Authorities say the officers were trying to get him to sit down when shots rang out.
The suspect has been booked into jail on attempted murder and other charges. The officers remained hospitalized on Sunday.
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12:10 p.m.
Authorities say there are no immediate plans to change security arrangements in the lobby of a central California jail where two unarmed officers were shot and wounded.
Fresno County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said Sunday that officials will review what happened Saturday and decide whether changes need to be implemented. Thong Vang, an ex-convict, is accused of shooting correctional Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan, who are both in critical condition.
Botti says the lobby of the Fresno County jail is guarded by unarmed officers and visitors go through metal detectors leading to secure areas. He says the jail lobby is closed but may reopen later in the day.
Vang was released from prison in 2014 after serving 16 years for raping three girls.
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9:45 a.m.
Authorities have booked into jail an ex-convict accused of shooting and wounding two unarmed officers inside a central California jail.
The Fresno County sheriff’s office says 37-year-old Thong Vang faces charges of attempted murder, being a felon with a handgun and bringing drugs into a jail. He also has been placed on a parole hold.
Correctional officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan are hospitalized Sunday in critical condition.
Authorities say the pair approached Vang after he tried to cut in the jail visitors line and began pacing near a secure area Saturday.
Sheriff Margaret Mims says Vang opened fire as the officers tried to get him to sit down. She says he surrendered after a lieutenant returned fire.
Vang was released on parole in 2014 after serving a 16-year prison sentence for raping three girls.
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11:40 p.m.
Authorities say two unarmed officers were critically injured after being shot by a visitor in the lobby of a central California jail.
Correctional Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan were shot in the head and neck areas during a struggle Saturday with a man who tried to cut to the front of the visitors’ line and refused to take a seat when he began pacing near a secure area of the Fresno County jail.
Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti says officers from the secured areas inside the jail ran to the lobby, where a lieutenant fired shots at the gunman, identified as 37-year-old Thong Vang.
Botti says that when confronted by sheriff’s deputies and a Fresno police officer, Vang dropped his weapon and told authorities he wanted to be arrested.
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