Federal prosecutors have charged 10 individuals with attempted murder following what authorities described as a “planned ambush” on law enforcement officers at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas on the Fourth of July, where a police officer was shot in the neck and unarmed correction officers came under heavy gunfire.
The Justice Department on Monday identified the defendants as Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris), Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. Each faces three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a violent crime.
The attack occurred at approximately 10:37 p.m. on July 4 at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, located about 25 miles south of Fort Worth. According to federal prosecutors, 10 to 12 individuals dressed in black, military-style clothing initiated the assault by shooting fireworks at the facility, which houses individuals detained for immigration violations or awaiting deportation.
This was an egregious attack on federal and local law enforcement officers,” Nancy Larson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said during a Monday press conference. Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and they will be prosecuted with the toughest criminal statutes and penalties that we have available to us.
Approximately 10 minutes after the group began firing fireworks, one or two individuals broke away and started spray-painting graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot. Photos included in the criminal complaint show messages including “ICE pig,” “F— you pigs,” and “traitor” vandalized on government property.
The commotion successfully drew two unarmed ICE correction officers outside the facility to investigate. When an Alvarado police officer responded to the 911 call and exited his vehicle, a defendant positioned in nearby woods allegedly shot him in the neck, according to the complaint filed in the Northern District of Texas.
Another assailant, wearing a green mask and positioned across the street, then allegedly opened fire on the unarmed correction officers with an AR-style rifle, firing between 20 and 30 rounds. The shooting was captured by both CCTV and the APD officer’s body-worn camera,” the complaint states.
The injured Alvarado officer was airlifted to a Fort Worth hospital, where he was treated and later released. No ICE personnel were injured during the attack, though authorities described it as a deliberate attempt to kill federal officers.
Following the shooting, the group fled the scene separately, some on foot and others in vehicles. Johnson County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped multiple vehicles during the manhunt, discovering suspects “dressed in black, military-style clothing,” with some wearing body armor, carrying weapons, and equipped with two-way radios.
Law enforcement recovered extensive tactical equipment during searches of vehicles and the surrounding area. Prosecutors said 12 sets of body armor were found, along with AR-style rifles, magazines containing ammunition, and spray paint cans used in the vandalism.
Investigators also discovered POLITICAL materials among the suspects’ possessions, including flyers stating “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS.” A flag reading “RESIST FASCISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY” was also recovered from the scene.
According to court documents, one suspect told sheriff’s deputies that he had met people online and transported them from Dallas to the detention center to “make some noise.” Several suspects were found covered in mud when apprehended, suggesting they had attempted to evade capture through wooded areas.
Josh Johnson, Acting Field Office Director for ERO Dallas, confirmed that damage to government and private property is still being evaluated. The FBI has taken lead in the investigation, with support from multiple federal and local agencies.
The incident represents part of what Department of Homeland Security officials describe as an alarming increase in violence against immigration enforcement personnel. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated earlier this week that ICE law enforcement officers are “facing a nearly 700% increase in assaults against them.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche responded to the attack on social media, stating: “The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible.” Blanche noted that the Justice Department is also monitoring a similar attack on a DHS detention facility in Portland, Oregon.
The Prairieland facility assault comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations across the country. The Trump administration has emphasized its commitment to aggressive deportation efforts while warning of severe consequences for those who attempt to interfere with federal law enforcement activities.
If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, this administration will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Secretary Noem warned in a statement posted to social media platform X.
An 11th individual was also arrested in connection with the incident and charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy for allegedly attempting to conceal and destroy evidence related to the attack. Authorities have not released that person’s identity.
The defendants hail from various North Texas communities, with court records showing addresses in Dallas, Fort Worth, College Station, Waxahachie, and Kennedale. If convicted on all charges, each could face decades in federal prison.
Larson praised the multi-agency response to the attack, stating: “This has been 72 hours of the hardest work we have done.” She emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.
The Prairieland Detention Center, operated by the Department of Homeland Security, continues normal operations following the attack. Security measures have been reviewed and enhanced in response to the incident, according to federal officials.
The case highlights escalating confrontations between anti-immigration activists and federal law enforcement as the administration pursues expanded deportation operations. Federal authorities have vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against law enforcement personnel protecting immigration facilities.
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