Alleged fugitive and ex-Marine reservist wanted in North Texas ICE facility ambush in custody after Blue Alert
The suspect wanted in connection with a July 4 ambush that left a police officer wounded outside an ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Benjamin Hanil Song, is in custody, the Johnson County District Attorney and the FBI said Tuesday.
Song was arrested by FBI agents at an apartment complex in North Dallas, officials said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Blue Alert on July 9 for 32-year-old Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, who allegedly went on the run after the incident at the Prairieland Detention Center and had been at large since July Fourth.
He is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, aggravated assault public servant and aiding in the commission of terrorism, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
"The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. "His arrest is the result of our determination to protect not only the community, but also our law enforcement partners that were the targets of a coordinated attack. We have said it before, the FBI will not tolerate acts of violence toward law enforcement and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses."
Gov. Greg Abbott praised the work of law enforcement for taking Song into custody.
"Attempted cop killer Benjamin Hanil Song is behind bars where he belongs," Abbott said in a post on X. "Excellent work by state and federal law enforcement. Texas is and always will be a law-and-order state."
Song is currently in the Johnson County Correctional Facility Center. Alvarado police said he will remain there until his court appearance or bond is posted, which currently totals $15 million, $5 million for each charge.
Song allegedly purchased firearms used in ICE facility attack
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Song allegedly purchased four firearms used in the attack, including AR-style rifles. He and 10 others wore black military-style clothing, launched fireworks at the facility, and vandalized vehicles and a guard post.
An Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck upon arrival, while another attacker fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers. One rifle was equipped with a binary trigger for rapid fire. Additional weapons were recovered from vehicles and homes.
Investigators tracked Song's phone near the facility through July 5. A vehicle linked to Song was later found near another suspect's residence.
Suspects face attempted murder charges in ICE facility ambush
Those charged include Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto. The suspects face three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Another suspect has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to conceal and destroy evidence related to the ambush. That individual faces up to 10 years in prison.
Two others were charged on July 14 with accessory after the fact when law enforcement agents determined that they helped Song flee from the Prairieland area and evade arrest.
