In a recent incident at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, five guards were injured following an assault by inmates, as reported by officials from the state Department of Corrections. The perpetrators, primarily identified as members of the MS-13 gang, reportedly entered the United States unlawfully.
The altercation resulted in three guards suffering stab wounds while two others sustained injuries during the skirmish on a Friday. All five were transported for medical treatment. Authorities disclosed that six inmates participated in the attack and that they had all been previously convicted of severe offenses such as murder and rape. Among the attackers, five were confirmed to be members of the notorious MS-13 gang hailing from El Salvador, and they were in the country illegally. The sixth inmate was identified as a U.S. citizen with affiliations to a different gang.
Virginia Department of Corrections Director, Chad Dotson, expressed his concerns, stating, “Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place. Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety.” Dotson highlighted the inherent risks that officers face daily as they fulfill their roles.
Details surrounding the incident remain sparse due to an ongoing investigation. However, it is confirmed that three of the affected officers received treatment and were released shortly after the incident. Meanwhile, two officers required more intensive care and were hospitalized, though they are reportedly in stable condition.
Carla Miles, acting as a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, mentioned that she was uncertain about the status of the two officers who were hospitalized and whether they remained in medical care over the weekend.