Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan remain in critical condition

Fresno and the FC community have been in shock since the shooting of two Fresno County Sheriff’s correctional officers, Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan, Sept. 3.

A usual morning in the Fresno County Jail just began. According to the Fresno Sheriff’s department, there was about 15 visitors when Thong Vang entered the building. Attempting to cut in line, a correctional officer ordered Vang to return to the back. He began to act oddly when Davila and Scanlan approached him, telling him to sit down. A quarrel commenced, causing Vang to pull out a handgun shooting the two officers in the head and neck areas.

After a shootout, Vang eventually surrendered his weapon and was arrested. Now facing multiple charges such as attempted murder and possession of a firearm, Vang is in custody. Davila is now in a critical but stable condition and Scanlan is listed in critical condition.

This event affects the FC community in such a tremendous fashion because of Scanlan’s position as a defensive lineman coach for the football team. He was brought onto the staff this year and was standing on the sidelines with FC players the night before.

Sage Sobrado, ‘17, one of the team captains was shocked when he heard the news. He hopes that the team will come together and get through the tough time. Sobrado thinks that as captain he will be able to keep everyone focused.

“I was shocked, confused, and angry on why it was Malama,” Sobrado said. “He is the nicest and most kind hearted guy I know. I hope our team comes together as brothers and acts like a family to get through this. As a captain I want to help keep everyone calm and focused on football, not getting distracted by the events that took place.”

Defensive lineman, Matthew Tanaka, ‘17, did not believe it when he heard the news. He is confident that Scanlan will make a recovery from the injury. Since hearing about the shooting, Tanaka has been trying to distract himself by spending time with friends.

“I found out from a text from one of my teammates,” Tanaka said. “I didn’t believe it at first but when I realized it was real I was shocked. I am confident that he will get through it. If anyone can take a bullet Malama can, that guy is a beast. Since the news it has been hard to focus on anything. I have been trying to distract myself by spending time with friends and watching tv but it has been really hard.”

Superintendent Jeremy Brown set up a prayer time for the players when he heard the news. He hoped to get the team together to process the events. Brown wanted to make sure that all the players had someone to talk to for support.

“We wanted to get the team together to process the event,” Brown said. “Severe trauma is an overwhelming event, it hits you in waves. Often times it will trigger feelings from past traumatic events. My dad was in an accident when I was 18, he had severe head trauma.  So I found myself praying for Malama and thinking of my dad.  Going through an event in community provides support.”

Brown encourages everyone to pray for Davila and Scanlan. He notes that this type of thing impacts not only Fresno but communities everywhere.

“Pray. Pray for both officers Davila and Malama,” Brown said. “Also, pray for our local law enforcement, first responders and our military. Unfortunately, this tragedy impacts our community but everyday a different community is impacted. Pray for those we know and those we don’t.”

Since the attack both officers have now started to show improvements in their health. Davila is now beginning to communicate by writing message to the staff taking care of her.

Scanlan on the other hand is still listed in critical condition. The only improvements seen with him is that he is responding to pain and can move his limbs when told to do so by medical staff. According the Fresno Sheriff’s website, “Doctors remain hopeful he will recover, but nothing is certain.”

For updates on the condition of the officers visit, fresnosheriff.org.

To donate to the medical bills for the officers you can make checks payable to Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association and in the memo section write, injured officers fund. You can also donate through a GoFundMe account.

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This writer can be reached via twitter: @Phillip11499 and via email: Phillip Christopher.

If readers feel compelled to leave a comment in support for the officers, The Feather encourages you to do so.