Former Marine reservist arrested in connection with July 4th attack at Texas ICE detention center.
Authorities apprehended Benjamin Hanil Song, a former Marine reservist, who is alleged to be involved in a planned ambush on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Alvarado, Texas. The incident, which occurred on July 4, resulted in one officer being shot in the neck, prompting a statewide search for Song. He was taken into custody by FBI agents at an apartment complex in North Dallas, following a Blue Alert issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
As the investigation progresses, Song faces multiple serious charges, including three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. These charges stem from the violent events near the Prairieland Detention Center, which unfolded shortly before midnight on Independence Day. Witnesses reported that a group of individuals dressed in black, some wearing Kevlar vests and armed with semi-automatic rifles, approached the facility. They allegedly vandalized vehicles with graffiti denouncing ICE and discharged fireworks, seemingly aiming to provoke a response from ICE personnel.
Chaos ensued when several unarmed corrections officers were lured outside the facility. The attack drew the attention of the local police department, at which point one officer was shot through the neck. Thankfully, the officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, is recovering from the incident, with local authorities noting that he was fortunate to survive.
According to the complaint against Song, he is believed to have purchased four of the firearms used in the ambush. His arrest is part of a larger crackdown, as authorities have already arrested ten others in connection with the attack. These individuals, including Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, and others, have also been charged with attempted murder and firearm-related offenses.
The series of events surrounding the incident underscores concerns regarding public safety and the growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. As investigations continue, additional details may emerge, shedding light on the motives and affiliations of those involved in this highly publicized attack.
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