The FBI is actively seeking military veterans believed to have participated in an ambush against officers at a Texas detention facility on July 4th.
Benjamin Hanil Song, a 32-year-old from Dallas, has been identified as the 12th suspect in the attack at the Prairiland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. He is a former Marine reservist and is accused of firing at correctional and police officers with two AR-15-style rifles, based on charges revealed by law enforcement.
Song faces charges for three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of using firearms to facilitate violent crimes.
A blue alert was issued to Texas residents on Wednesday evening, indicating significant injuries to law enforcement officers.
The charges allege that Song was part of a group of 10 to 12 individuals who launched a coordinated assault on the detention center shortly after 10:30 PM last Friday. The group, dressed in dark military-style attire, reportedly shot fireworks toward the facility while others vandalized vehicles and structures.
One corrections officer called 911 to report suspicious actions. When Officer Alvarado responded, he was shot in the neck by a suspect hidden nearby. Another assailant allegedly fired multiple rounds at unarmed corrections officers leaving the facility.
Federal prosecutors indicated that Song had purchased four firearms linked to the incident, with two AR-style rifles recovered at the scene. One of these weapons featured a binary trigger, which allows for faster firing than standard semi-automatic models.
During investigations, additional firearms, including another AR-15-style rifle, were seized from various locations. Although ten suspects reportedly fled the scene, they were later apprehended by responding law enforcement. However, Song remains at large.
A white Mercedes-Benz connected to one of the other suspects was discovered two days later near one of their homes. The FBI has classified Song as armed and dangerous, offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.
Besides Song, the other charged individuals include Cameron Arnold, Savannabatten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetz, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Marise Laruda, Sethsykes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. Additionally, another person faces charges related to obstruction of justice and conspiracy to conceal evidence.
