ANTIFA Cell ATTACK — Officer Shot in Neck

Nine defendants face conviction for a coordinated Independence Day attack on a Texas ICE detention facility that left a police officer shot in the neck, as prosecutors present overwhelming evidence of an antifa-aligned cell plotting violence against law enforcement.

Story Snapshot

Federal jury deliberates on 65 charges against nine defendants accused of orchestrating a July 4, 2025 assault on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas
Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross survived a gunshot wound to the neck after responding to the attack, which involved fireworks, vandalism, and gunfire
Benjamin Song, a former Marine reservist, identified as ringleader and sole shooter, captured after weeklong manhunt with $35,000 in rewards offered
Prosecutors present evidence of pre-attack planning through encrypted Signal chats, tactical gear checks, and witnesses admitting participation in coordinated assault
Defense attorneys claim incident was merely a “noise demonstration” gone wrong, but face mounting evidence including ballistics, DNA, and testimony from 51 prosecution witnesses

Attack on Law Enforcement Disguised as Protest

On Independence Day 2025, approximately a dozen individuals dressed in black bloc tactical gear descended upon the Prairieland ICE Detention Facility in rural Alvarado, Texas. Prosecutors argue this was no spontaneous protest but a carefully orchestrated assault designed to terrorize immigration enforcement officers and responding police. The attackers fired fireworks at the facility, vandalized property, destroyed surveillance cameras, and ultimately opened fire on law enforcement. This represents exactly the kind of coordinated violence against those sworn to protect our borders that frustrates Americans who respect the rule of law and support legitimate immigration enforcement.

Officer Survives Near-Fatal Shooting

Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross responded to emergency calls from correctional officers reporting the attack. As the group fled, alleged ringleader Benjamin Song reportedly shouted “get to the rifles” before shooting Lt. Gross in the neck. Miraculously, Gross survived and has since returned to duty. Investigators recovered 11 shell casings from a single location, and bodycam footage captured critical audio evidence. DNA found on a green mask linked Song directly to the shooting scene. This blatant attempt to murder a law enforcement officer responding to protect federal facilities underscores the dangerous escalation from protest to premeditated violence.

Extensive Pre-Attack Planning Revealed

Federal prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating this was far from the spontaneous demonstration defense attorneys claim. The group communicated through encrypted Signal chats, conducted “gear checks,” and distributed anti-government posters. Several defendants had attended prior anti-ICE protests between 2021 and 2022, establishing a pattern of escalating activism. Cooperating witnesses admitted to participating in the fireworks assault, vandalism, and helping Song evade capture. Benjamin Song, who had four registered firearms as a former Marine reservist, was added to Texas DPS Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list with rewards totaling $35,000 before his capture on July 15, 2025.

Federal Prosecution Presents Overwhelming Evidence

The prosecution called 51 witnesses during the trial that began in February 2026 and lasted over 11 days. FBI Agent Clark Wiethorn testified about the coordinated nature of the attack and Song’s leadership role within what prosecutors describe as an antifa-aligned cell. Evidence included Signal chat communications, text messages, gunshot residue, ballistics matching, and testimony from cooperating defendants. Prosecutors argue the group held antifascist, anarchist, and socialist views and considered ICE detainees “political prisoners.” The attackers’ ties to groups like the Emma Goldman Book Club and Socialist Rifle Association further establish their ideological motivation to undermine federal immigration enforcement through violence.

Defense Strategy Crumbles Under Evidence Weight

Defense attorneys attempted to portray the incident as a legitimate protest that accidentally escalated, claiming defendants had no intention of shooting anyone and denying antifa affiliations. They pointed to sarcastic text messages, such as defendant Zachary Evetts joking about “antifa thugs,” and characterized the Emma Goldman Book Club as a public organization rather than a recruiting cell. However, this strategy appears weak against the mountain of evidence including tactical gear, encrypted communications planning the attack, weapons recovered from defendants like Meagan Morris, and multiple witnesses confirming coordination. As jurors began deliberations on March 13, 2026, following closing arguments, the defense’s attempt to shift all blame to Song while minimizing other defendants’ participation faces serious credibility challenges.

Implications for Border Security and Law Enforcement

This case represents a critical test of federal authority to prosecute violent attacks on immigration enforcement infrastructure as terrorism rather than mere protest. The 65 federal charges including attempted murder of a federal officer, aiding terrorism, and weapons offenses signal that the Trump administration’s Justice Department will not tolerate violent assaults on those protecting our borders. The heightened security at the trial, including snipers and DHS vehicles, reflects the serious threat these defendants pose. For Americans frustrated by years of leftist tolerance for antifa violence and attacks on immigration enforcement, this prosecution demonstrates that consequences will finally be enforced for those who cross the line from protest to attempted murder of law enforcement officers defending federal facilities and immigration operations.