Three corrections officers were hospitalised Friday after a violent, coordinated attack by inmates linked to the MS-13 gang and another gang at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, officials said.
According to the Virginia Department of Corrections, the assault occurred around 9:45 am when six inmates, including five identified as MS-13 members, all of whom are reportedly in the US illegally — carried out a premeditated stabbing attack. The officers sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and the prison remains on lockdown as security measures are reassessed. "Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place," Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson said in a statement.
"Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes’ and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response," the statement added.
The matter remains under investigation with no further details available.
Medical attention was required for five officers following the incident. Two officers who responded to the scene sustained minor injuries and were discharged along with another officer. Two additional officers remain in hospital with stable conditions.
Five of the six inmates involved in the attack are confirmed MS-13 gang members from El Salvador who were in the US illegally. Each had been convicted of serious violent crimes, including murder and rape. The sixth inmate is a US citizen and a Sureño 13 gang member, serving time for second-degree murder.
This violent assault occurs during widespread controversy regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member. ICE arrested and deported him to El Salvador in March, despite having judicial protection against deportation.
Abrego Garcia, aged 29, maintains his innocence, with his legal representative asserting he has no gang connections. The Trump administration continues to resist multiple court directives for his US return, firmly maintaining that Abrego Garcia belonged to the violent MS-13 organisation and was residing unlawfully in the country prior to deportation.
Mara Salvatrucha , commonly known as MS-13, established itself in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Authorities have associated MS-13 with serious criminal activities, including homicide, forced human trafficking, intimidation for financial gain, and narcotics distribution.
According to the Virginia Department of Corrections, the assault occurred around 9:45 am when six inmates, including five identified as MS-13 members, all of whom are reportedly in the US illegally — carried out a premeditated stabbing attack. The officers sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and the prison remains on lockdown as security measures are reassessed. "Five of the individuals responsible for this senseless attack should never have been in this country in the first place," Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson said in a statement.
"Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth. This attack is an example of the dangers they face when they show up to work every day. Our officers are heroes’ and I commend the team at Wallens Ridge for their swift response," the statement added.
The matter remains under investigation with no further details available.
Medical attention was required for five officers following the incident. Two officers who responded to the scene sustained minor injuries and were discharged along with another officer. Two additional officers remain in hospital with stable conditions.
Five of the six inmates involved in the attack are confirmed MS-13 gang members from El Salvador who were in the US illegally. Each had been convicted of serious violent crimes, including murder and rape. The sixth inmate is a US citizen and a Sureño 13 gang member, serving time for second-degree murder.
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This violent assault occurs during widespread controversy regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member. ICE arrested and deported him to El Salvador in March, despite having judicial protection against deportation.
Abrego Garcia, aged 29, maintains his innocence, with his legal representative asserting he has no gang connections. The Trump administration continues to resist multiple court directives for his US return, firmly maintaining that Abrego Garcia belonged to the violent MS-13 organisation and was residing unlawfully in the country prior to deportation.
Mara Salvatrucha , commonly known as MS-13, established itself in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Authorities have associated MS-13 with serious criminal activities, including homicide, forced human trafficking, intimidation for financial gain, and narcotics distribution.
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