Authorities are searching for an additional suspect, Benjamin Hanil Song, in connection with what authorities said was an “ambush” at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Texas on the night of the Fourth of July.
Song, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, is wanted after being charged with attempted murder of a federal officer and discharging a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence, the FBI said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday issued a Blue Alert—which are designed to help speed in the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or injure law enforcement officers—for Song.
Newsweek has contacted the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety for comment via emails sent outside regular business hours.
The Context
Ten others have been arrested on attempted murder charges after attackers opened fire outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado on Friday night. An officer was shot in the neck. He was treated at a hospital and released, authorities said.
President Donald Trump‘s administration has decried attacks and violence against ICE officers as it ramps up deportations, which will be turbocharged by a massive spending bill that became law last week.
Protests over federal immigration enforcement raids have been held around the country, with some leading to clashes with police and arrests. Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests over his stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws in the city.
What To Know
While others in the group lured officers out of the detention facility, Song was positioned in the woods nearby with two rifles, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox 4.
From there, he and at least one other suspect allegedly opened fire. The complaint says both rifles recovered from the woods were found to have been purchased by Song.
Song is believed to have spent the night after the attack hiding in the woods near the detention center, the complaint said. He has possibly been seen once on a camera at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Song served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 2011 until 2016, when he received an other than honorable discharge, the complaint said.
The FBI has described Song as Asian, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes and weighing about 150 pounds.
The Department of Justice said on Tuesday that 10 men and women—Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto—have been charged with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Another person was charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy for attempting to conceal and destroy evidence.
A criminal complaint says the attackers, dressed in black military-style clothing, shot off fireworks toward the detention center at around 10:40 p.m. on Friday.
One or two broke off from the group and began to spray-paint graffiti on cars and a guard structure in the detention center’s parking lot, the complaint said.
Two unarmed corrections officers spoke to the group in the parking lot at around 11 p.m. as someone in the nearby woods appeared to signal to the group with a flashlight, the complaint said.
At the same time, an Alvarado police officer arrived in the parking lot. Someone in the woods opened fire immediately after the officer emerged from his vehicle, shooting him in the neck, the complaint said. That assailant also opened fire on the correctional officers.
What People Are Saying
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson said in a statement on Tuesday: “Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest. This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers. This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas. Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said in a statement on Tuesday: “This escalation in violence is incomprehensible, and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“This is precisely what we have been warning against, as disinformation and dangerous politically-motivated rhetoric spreads.”
The White House said on Wednesday: “As ICE agents risk their lives to secure our borders and protect our communities, they’re facing a 700% surge in assaults — a direct consequence of dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric from Democrat politicians.”
What’s Next
The FBI is warning that Song should be considered armed and dangerous.
The bureau is offering a reward of up to $25,000 reward for information leading to Song’s arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information is urged to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. People can also contact their local FBI office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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