Veteran Wanted in Armed Ambush on ICE Detention Facility in Texas
- Admin
- Jul 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Federal authorities have launched an urgent manhunt for Benjamin Hanil Song, a 32-year-old military veteran from Dallas, who is accused of participating in a violent Fourth of July ambush targeting officers at the Prairieland Detention Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Alvarado, Texas.
According to the FBI and a newly unsealed criminal complaint, Song a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist is now the 12th suspect identified in a coordinated and armed assault that authorities have described as a premeditated attack on law enforcement personnel.
A Coordinated Assault on Law Enforcement
The alleged ambush took place on Friday, July 4, at approximately 10:30 PM, when a group of up to 12 individuals dressed in black tactical gear launched what appeared to be a military-style assault on the detention facility.
The group reportedly used fireworks as a distraction and began spraying graffiti on vehicles and structures in the parking lot. As correctional officers responded and called 911, the violence escalated.
According to the criminal complaint:
An Alvarado police officer arriving on the scene was shot in the neck by an assailant hiding in nearby woods.
At the same time, a second gunman across the street opened fire on unarmed correctional officers, using what investigators described as an AR-15-style rifle.
Benjamin Hanil Song: The Prime Fugitive
Song is charged with:
Three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer
Three counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
The complaint alleges that Song personally purchased four firearms, two of which AR-style rifles were found at the scene of the ambush. One weapon was fitted with a binary trigger, allowing for rapid fire, a device commonly scrutinized for its ability to mimic automatic gunfire.
The FBI has issued a Blue Alert statewide in Texas, warning residents that Song is considered armed and extremely dangerous. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
A white Mercedes-Benz linked to Song’s family was recovered near the home of another suspect two days after the attack, indicating that Song may have received help evading law enforcement.
Fallout from the Ambush: Arrests and Charges
While ten suspects were arrested at the scene following the firefight, Song managed to escape and has not been located. Authorities say the assailants attempted to flee the detention center as backup arrived.
The individuals currently in custody have been identified as:
Cameron Arnold
Savanna Batten
Nathan Baumann
Zachary Evetts
Joy Gibson
Bradford Morris
Maricela Rueda
Seth Sikes
Elizabeth Soto
Ines Soto
Another unnamed suspect has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy after allegedly trying to conceal and destroy evidence tied to the attack.
A Wake-Up Call for Facility Security
The Prairieland Detention Center, a federal immigration facility, has faced controversy in recent years related to detainee conditions. However, this violent ambush represents an unprecedented escalation in threats against federal officers and correctional personnel.
Officials say the use of military-style tactics, advanced weaponry, and apparent preplanning underscores the need for heightened security protocols and intelligence coordination between local and federal agencies.
FBI Urges Public Assistance
The FBI is urging anyone with knowledge of Benjamin Hanil Song’s whereabouts to come forward. He is considered armed, dangerous, and potentially willing to engage in further violence.
If you have any information, contact the FBI Dallas Field Office or submit a tip online via tips.fbi.gov.
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