A Dallas resident, Benjamin Song, is set to testify in court about a terrorist incident allegedly linked to him involving an “Antifa cell,” according to court documents.
Song, along with eight others, will go on trial starting Tuesday for a protest that occurred on July 4, 2025, at the Alvarado immigration facility. It is claimed that Song initiated gunfire against law enforcement. The 32-year-old activist, who has previously been featured on Texas’ “Most Wanted Fugitive” list, is expected to share details about the events of that date and the buildup to it, as stated by his lawyers in a recent court filing.
This trial marks a significant moment as it’s the first case in the U.S. to openly address Antifa as a focus of terrorism. The Department of Justice has indicted Song on multiple charges, including rioting, supporting terrorism, conspiracy to use explosives, attempted murder of police officers, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. If found guilty on all counts, he could face a life sentence.
According to the indictment, Song’s group, dressed in black, arrived at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility at night, where they began launching fireworks and vandalizing property. When approached by a local police officer, a command was shouted to “go rifle,” prompting the group to fire between 20 and 30 shots.
After the confrontation, Song reportedly hid in nearby woods, leading to an 11-day manhunt that culminated in his capture with a SWAT team at a supporter’s apartment. Along with him, three other co-defendants pleaded guilty to federal offenses for concealing Song’s whereabouts, marking a historic moment as the first Antifa-related terror convictions in the U.S.
Defense attorneys assert that claims of premeditated violence by Song’s group are questionable. Furthermore, they’ve enlisted expert witnesses focused on right-wing extremism and its relevance to the case against Song.
The indictment outlines that many Antifa cells viewed Song as a leader. He and his co-defendants previously belonged to the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club, a militia-like group known for protecting LGBTQ events and protesting conservative speakers. Reports suggest that Song actively recruited like-minded individuals at combat training sessions he conducted.
In a 2022 statement, the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club criticized the government, asserting that laws were created to suppress self-governance, emphasizing their intent for rebellion. They claimed their numbers surpassed those in power and declared themselves “a generation of insurrectionists.”
Investigators allege that Song procured several rifles used in the July attack, firing them and abandoning one afterward. Moreover, in discussions with co-defendant Cameron Arnold, he suggested that firearms could serve to intimidate law enforcement.
Song is also facing state charges that include engaging in organized criminal activities, aggravated assault against a public servant, and aiding terrorism, based on court records.
