3 corrections officers stabbed by MS-13 gang members in prison: Officials
Three corrections officers at Wallens Ridge State Prison in western Virginia were brutally attacked by inmates in a “premeditated” assault on Friday, as reported by the Virginia Department of Corrections. The incident left a total of five officers injured, all of whom were promptly transferred for medical treatment outside the facility.
The Virginia DOC confirmed that three of the officers have been discharged, while the remaining two are in stable condition. Shockingly, the department revealed that five out of the six perpetrators involved in the attack are “confirmed MS-13 gang members from El Salvador, who were in this country illegally,” according to a press release issued to ABC News. Each of these individuals has a criminal history that includes violent offenses such as aggravated murder, first and second-degree murder, and rape.
Additionally, one of the inmates implicated in the assault is identified as a member of the Sureño 13 gang and is a U.S. citizen serving a sentence for second-degree murder. Virginia DOC Director Chad Dotson condemned the attack, stating that “Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place.” Dotson praised the swift response of the Wallens Ridge team and emphasized the daily risks that officers undertake to ensure the safety of the public.
Dotson further emphasized the paramount importance of prioritizing the safety of officers above all else, asserting that the dedicated staff deserves unwavering support and protection. The attack is currently under investigation, and the DOC has stated that no further updates will be provided until the investigation is concluded.
The harrowing incident at Wallens Ridge State Prison serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by corrections officers in their line of duty. As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative that measures are implemented to safeguard the well-being of these frontline heroes who selflessly commit to upholding public safety.
