On Friday, three corrections officers in Virginia were hospitalized after what officials believe were coordinated attacks from inmates connected to the violent MS-13 gang and another known gang, according to a statement from the State Department of Corrections.
The unsettling event unfolded at Warrensridge State Jail in Wise County around 9:45 AM, involving six inmates altogether.
Five of these individuals had ties to MS-13, a gang with roots in El Salvador, and were in the U.S. unlawfully. They had all been convicted of serious offenses including aggravated murder, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and rape.
The sixth inmate, a U.S. citizen, is recognized as a member of the Sureño 13 gang and has been sentenced for second-degree murder.
Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson expressed frustration, stating, “These five individuals involved in this senseless attack shouldn’t have even been in this country.” He emphasized that every day, officers put themselves at risk to protect over 8.8 million citizens, noting how this assault exemplifies the threats they face in their line of work. “Our officers are heroes, and I commend the Warrensridge team for their swift response,” he added.
Initially, five officers required medical attention. Three have since been discharged from the hospital, including two who had minor injuries when handling the situation. The remaining two are still hospitalized, though their condition is stable.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and no further details have been disclosed yet.
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, originated in Los Angeles during the 1980s and has become notorious for its extreme violence, extending its reach throughout Central America and the U.S. Law enforcement agencies have linked MS-13 to a plethora of violent crimes, including murder, human trafficking, extortion, and drug distribution.
The administration has ramped up enforcement efforts aimed at gang members who are in the country illegally. Immigration and custom enforcement agencies report numerous arrests and deportations of gang members every year, raising concerns over MS-13 activities in the prison system and their broader implications for public safety.
The Virginia Department of Corrections has indicated that more information will be provided as the investigation progresses.
