Nine Defendants Face Trial in ICE Facility Terrorism Attack

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Nine defendants are standing trial in Fort Worth, Texas, on federal charges related to the July 4, 2025 armed assault on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center. The alleged Antifa ringleader, Benjamin Hanil Song, is expected to testify about the events leading up to the shooting that left an Alvarado police officer seriously injured.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about domestic terrorism and the threat of extremist groups targeting government facilities. The trial will shed light on the planning and coordination behind the attack, as well as the potential radicalization of the defendants.

The details

The defendants face a range of federal charges, including attempted murder of a federal officer, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, rioting, and providing material support to terrorists. Authorities say the group used a Signal chat group to coordinate the attack, which began with fireworks and vandalism before escalating to a shooting that left an officer wounded. Investigators recovered multiple firearms and tactical equipment linked to the defendants.

• The attack occurred on July 4, 2025.
• The nine defendants are standing trial on Tuesday.

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Benjamin Hanil Song to testify as the alleged Antifa ringleader.