Ten individuals charged in connection with planned ambush at Texas ICE detention center on July 4th.
Ten individuals have been charged with attempted murder in relation to a premeditated attack during the Fourth of July celebrations at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Alvarado, Texas. The incident, which occurred on the evening of July 4, involved significant violence, leaving one officer injured after being shot in the neck.
According to officials, the assailants executed a coordinated ambush targeting officers at the Prairieland Detention Center. The events escalated around 10:37 p.m., when a group clad in black allegedly vandalized vehicles, scrawling messages such as “traitor” and “ICE pig” before setting off fireworks. This display was reportedly intended to lure ICE personnel outside the facility. The disturbance succeeded in drawing two unarmed corrections officers from the center, who then came under fire.
The shooting resulted in one officer from the Alvarado Police Department sustaining a neck injury. He was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention and has since been released to continue his recovery at home. Additional reports indicated that another shooter fired between 20 and 30 rounds aimed at the officers present, with the shots originating from nearby wooded areas.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson emphasized that the attack was a deliberate premeditation to injure ICE personnel. The charging documents outline that each of the ten suspects is not only facing charges of attempted murder but also three counts of discharging a firearm in connection to a violent crime. These charges carry substantial penalties, with convictions potentially leading to sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.
The suspects have been identified as Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. The case underscores the rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the safety of law enforcement personnel in the line of duty.
As this situation unfolds, law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident, aiming to ensure accountability and safety in the region. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility surrounding immigration policies and the degree of animosity directed toward enforcement agencies.
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