Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson announced Monday that 10 individuals face serious federal charges, including attempted murder, linked to a July 4 ambush outside an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas. The attack occurred when officers responded to reports of suspicious behavior near the Prairieland ICE Detention Center.
As officers approached, they were met with gunfire from multiple assailants. One officer was shot in the neck and airlifted to a hospital in Fort Worth, but has since been released. Authorities say the suspects disabled security cameras and tried to lure officers out with fireworks and vandalism before opening fire.
Larson described the incident as an “organized attack” by 10 to 12 individuals dressed in black military-style clothing. Each of the 10 charged faces three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying mandatory sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.
An additional suspect is charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy for allegedly trying to destroy evidence, facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Larson emphasized the attack was a “planned ambush with the intent to kill ICE corrections officers,” not a peaceful protest.
Vandals sprayed graffiti with messages like “traitor” and “ice pig” to provoke a response. When two unarmed officers approached, gunmen opened fire from concealed positions, shooting 20 to 30 rounds. Seven suspects were apprehended, some wearing body armor and carrying two-way radios. Investigators also found a flag reading “resist fascism, fight oligarchy” and flyers calling to “fight ICE terror with class war.”
