WALLENS RIDGE, Va. — Three corrections officers were hospitalized Friday following a violent incident at Wallens Ridge State Prison, where inmates affiliated with the notorious MS-13 gang reportedly coordinated an attack. The confrontation occurred around 9:45 a.m., involving a total of six inmates.
According to the Virginia Department of Corrections, five of the attackers are confirmed MS-13 members, a gang rooted in El Salvador known for its brutal tactics. These individuals, residing in the U.S. illegally, had been convicted of serious crimes, including aggravated murder and rape. The sixth inmate in the group, a U.S. citizen, is connected to the Sureño 13 gang and is serving time for second-degree murder.
Chad Dotson, the director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, expressed concern over the incident, stating that many of the offenders should not have been in the country. “Every day, our officers put their lives on the line for over 8.8 million people across Virginia,” he said. “This attack illustrates the daily dangers they face, and I commend our staff at Wallens Ridge for their quick actions during this crisis.”
Medical reports indicated that five correctional officers sustained injuries in the attack. Three of them have since been discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries, while two others remain hospitalized but in stable condition.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details as of yet. MS-13, which stands for Mara Salvatrucha, has gained notoriety since its inception in the 1980s and has become entrenched in various regions across the United States and Central America. The gang is linked to an array of violent activities, including homicide, drug trafficking, and extortion.
In response to the increasing violence associated with gangs like MS-13, federal and state law enforcement agencies have ramped up initiatives targeting illegal immigrants with gang affiliations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reported significant numbers of arrests and deportations each year linked to these activities.
Concerns surrounding gang influence have extended to prison systems, raising alarms about implications for public safety. The Virginia Department of Corrections has pledged to provide updates as the investigation proceeds, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding both staff and the inmate population.