Fresno Correctional Officer Hospitalized Since 2016 Jail Shooting Succumbs To Injuries
FRESNO (CBS / AP) — A corrections officer who had been hospitalized after a 2016 shooting in the lobby of Fresno County's main jail succumbed to his injuries and died Tuesday.
Toamalama Scanlan, 46, died at Kindred Hospital in Paramount in Los Angeles County. He is survived by his wife and six children.
Scanlan was responding to a call for help from a fellow officer when he was seriously injured Sept. 3 by gunman Thong Vang of Fresno. Fresno County Sheriff's correctional officer Juanita Davila was also injured but survived.
At trial, Vang testified that he was high on methamphetamine, paranoid and looking for help when he went into the jail lobby that day, The Fresno Bee reported. In March 2018, Vang was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 112 years to life in prison.
Eulalio Gomez, who was president of the Fresno County Public Safety Association at the time and now retired, called Scanlan brave and selfless. "He brought a taser to a gunfight. That's all he had at the time to help," he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement on Scanlan's death Thursday. "Jennifer and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Correctional Officer Scanlan. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Officer Scanlan's family and friends, as well as those who served with him. We will never forget his sacrifice," Newsom said.
According to the governor's office, Scanlan began his career with the Fresno County Probation Department in June 1998 and joined the Fresno County Sheriff's Office in April 2006. Scanlan was promoted to correctional officer in August 2012. At the time of the shooting, Scanlan was assigned to Population Management and was a member of the Jail Division's Security Emergency Response and Tactics Team.
A former college football player, Scanlan was known for his Samoan chants and upbeat attitude.
© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
