Daughters of injured correctional officer shot at Fresno County Jail speak out at press conference

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlon are still in the hospital in critical condition after they were shot Saturday at the Fresno County Jail.

For the first time, the daughters of Davila spoke out Tuesday about their mother. Brittany and Cristal Davila said the hardest part in all of this is coping with a new reality that is tough to swallow.

"Just to see our mother in the condition she is, because we're so used to seeing her laughing, joking, and being there for us," said Cristal.

According to Davila's daughters, the correctional officer of almost 20 years is improving after extensive surgeries. They even said she is writing notes to communicate while laying in her hospital bed.

"She is just asking for prayer and to not worry about her, just for us to be strong," said Brittany.

Davila, along with her colleague Scanlon, were shot by Thong Vang-- a 37-year-old convicted rapist. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said Vang was brought to the United States as a refugee from Laos as an infant. It is unclear if he will face deportation.

"When he was released from prison the first time he went into the custody of INS," said Mims. "They communicated with the country of Laos to be able to send him back and got no response."

Whether he stays or goes, the daughters of Davila are confident both their mother and Scanlan will recover from this unthinkable tragedy.

"They're going to be okay, because of all the prayers that the churches the families officers-- prayer is powerful," said Brittany.

The Sheriff said the suspect had a phone he was seen on before entering the jail. They believe he left it outside and believe someone picked it up and they are asking that person to return it so that they can further the investigation.