Three corrections officers were hospitalized Friday morning following what authorities are calling a coordinated assault by gang-affiliated inmates at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Wise County, Virginia.
The attack occurred around 9:45 a.m., involving six inmates, according to a statement from the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Five of those inmates are confirmed members of MS-13, a notoriously violent transnational gang originally from El Salvador. All five were in the U.S. illegally and had been convicted of serious violent offenses, including aggravated murder, first- and second-degree murder, and rape. The sixth inmate involved is a U.S. citizen and a known member of the Sureño 13 gang, serving time for second-degree murder.
“This senseless and brutal attack highlights the real and present danger our officers face every day,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. “Five of the individuals responsible should never have been in this country to begin with. Our officers are heroes for their swift response and ongoing dedication to protecting the people of Virginia.”
Five corrections officers sustained injuries in the incident. Three have been released from the hospital — two of whom suffered minor wounds while responding to the scene. Two others remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Wallens Ridge, a high-security facility, is no stranger to housing violent offenders, but the scale and coordination of Friday’s assault have raised alarms among law enforcement and public officials.
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, was formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s and has since grown into an international criminal organization with deep roots in Central America and major U.S. cities. The gang is known for its brutality and has been linked to murder, human trafficking, extortion, and narcotics distribution.
Federal authorities have repeatedly warned of the threat posed by MS-13’s presence in the U.S. prison system, where gang leaders often continue orchestrating crimes both behind bars and on the outside. The Trump administration ramped up enforcement efforts targeting MS-13 and other transnational gangs during its tenure, emphasizing deportation and prosecution of violent offenders.
The incident remains under active investigation. VADOC officials say more details will be made public as the probe continues.