Support pours in for injured correctional officers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two correctional officers are recovering Monday after a shooting at the Fresno county jail over the weekend.

Toamalama Scanlan is still critical but family members played some church hymns in his room. At one point he was even able to give them a thumbs up and a brain scan also revealed good activity.

In the intensive care unit, the two officers continue to be monitored closely. Scanlan was extremely fragile when he arrived Saturday with a gunshot to the head but after an hours-long surgery to relieve pressure and brain swelling, he is showing promising signs.

"He is doing much better than yesterday," FDSA president Eric Schmidt said. "And much better than the day before when he went into the hospital. "So, he has made it through two nights and the family is much more optimistic than they were two days ago and even yesterday. They had to pull back the visitors a little bit because he was being over stimulated which is a very good sign."

The support for the families and coworkers of Juanita Davila and Scanlan has prompted donations from Fresno and beyond. Many outlying police and fire agencies are also pitching in to help.

"Organizations like Clovis POA, CHP, Fresno PD, the DA's office have been wonderful," Schmidt said. "They have donated much, I mean water, anything we need and it's constant text messages, phone calls, hey whatever you guys need let us know."

Financial donations are also coming in to help the families with immediate needs as they endure the next few months of recovery. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to make the process easier for those who want to assist in this way.

The Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association has also been staffed from sun up until sundown to help coworkers who are finding comfort being together and sharing a meal or cup of coffee. Chaplains have also been on hand to talk.

Several coworkers, friends and family members have shown up here hoping to see Scanlan. On Sunday, 94 friends and family members were in the waiting room, hoping to see him. He also moved his leg, a very encouraging sign. But, for now, doctors say he needs to rest to help the healing process.