A group of roughly 10 individuals launched an aggressive attack on a Texas-based U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainment center, which resulted in a police officer getting shot in the neck. Recently disclosed court documents provide insights into the aspects of the attack. Offense charges were raised against ten individuals associated with this planned assault, which inferred on the 8th of July by Justice Department authorities.
The group conducted the assault on the Prairieland Detention Center, located on the periphery of the Dallas-Fort Worth area on the 4th of July, as stated in the federal court filings. The attackers wore black military-style outfits, initiated their attack by firing fireworks at the facility, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The dressing code of the assailants was buzzed with body armor, two-way radios, and AR-style rifles, as per the prosecutors.
The attackers aggressively fired numerous rounds at the facility, following their getaway, they graffitied buildings and cars with phrases such as ‘traitor’ and ‘ICE Pig.’ The acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Nancy E. Larson, condemned the attack, stating, ‘This was not a peaceful protest. It was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers. The increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.’
The attack began around 10:30 p.m. with assailants discharging around 30 rounds targeting an Alvarado officer who arrived in response to the incident and two officers stationed at the federal facility. Beginning with fireworks aimed at the facility, it progressed to the spray painting of graffiti on at least one facility-related building and two vehicles.
The assault took place near Alvarado, Texas on Independence Day and transpired in the midst of a declared 700% surge in assaults on immigration agents, a figure quoted by White House officials. Documented attacks include episodes such as an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member who roughed up and choked a female ICE agent in Nebraska.
The escalating attacks on immigration officials are occurring as President Donald Trump intensifies a massive deportation campaign that has resulted in masked agents causing widespread fear throughout the nation. Government officials argue that the conspicuous tactics adopted are necessary to deter what they perceive as an ‘invasion’ of immigrants.
An officer from the Alvarado Police Department, shot in the neck during the assault, was airlifted to a nearby hospital. He expressed gratitude for his recovery and was relieved that no additional injuries were suffered in the incident. He described his condition as a ‘substantial wound’ and recognized himself as fortunate to have received timely medical attention.
The group accused of conducting the attack near Alvarado, Texas includes the following individuals: Cameron Arnold; Savannah Batten; Nathan Baumann; Zachary Evetts; Joy Gibson; Bradford Morris; Maricela Rueda; Seth Sikes; Elizabeth Soto; and Ines Soto, all of whom are residents of Texas, as stated in court documents. The charges levied against them include three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three instances of utilizing a firearm in the act of a violent crime.
Investigators found several AR-style rifles in the possession of the attackers, along with two-way radios and about a dozen sets of body armor. Authorities suspect a total of 12 individuals to be involved in the attack. One of those arrested, Morris, admitted to the police that he had met the group online and agreed to transport some members from Dallas to create a disturbance at the facility.
Authorities also discovered flyers that characterized the group’s stance which read ‘Fight ICE terror with class war’ and ‘Free all political prisoners.’ They also uncovered a device known as a Faraday bag, which is frequently used by people engaged in criminal activities to avoid being located by law enforcement agencies. A search by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of one of the attacker’s residences discovered propaganda against the government.
Josh Johnson, a director at the immigration agency’s Dallas office, stated, ‘Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers from performing their duties.’ He further added, ‘This type of vigilante lawlessness is emblematic of the dangers that are inherent for federal, state, and local law enforcement officials on a daily basis.’
The facility that was targeted in this attack is positioned around 40 miles southwest of Dallas and is among the latest built by the Department of Homeland Security. It is one out of four immigration detainment facilities in Texas and has the capacity to house over 700 detainees. The incident in Texas occurred in a context where there has been a stated 700% rise in assaults on immigration agents, part of a report shared by White House officials.
Officials from the administration remained unresponsive to queries related to the basis and particulars of the escalated numbers, including aspects related to the severity and extent of injuries. However, since Trump assumed office, there were 79 agent assaults recorded until June 30, a noticeable leap from ten assaults during the corresponding period the previous year. Many of these occurred as a consequence of new methods applied by immigration authorities to implement the President’s comprehensive mass deportation plan.