Federal authorities have charged two individuals in connection with an attack on a Texas ice detention facility, which resulted in an officer being injured. The charges were announced earlier this month against John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Reed Sharp, stemming from a shooting incident at the Prairiland Detention Center in Alvarado that occurred on July 4.
Nancy Larson, a U.S. attorney, indicated that both Sharp and Thomas participated in a chat that involved reconnaissance efforts, suggesting planning through Google Maps for the location of the ice facility and a nearby police station.
The authorities are still on the lookout for a third suspect, Benjamin Hanil, who is alleged to have been involved in an organized attack by a group of approximately 10 to 12 people targeting ice officials.
Four days post-incident, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Thomas’s Dallas residence. Initially denying knowledge of Hanil, Thomas later admitted to being friends with him since 2022. They even lived together from September 2024 until late June 2025.
Thomas reportedly told investigators he was building a house for friends on the day of the shooting and met with three individuals afterward, mentioning that they had talked about filming the attack and assisting Hanil’s escape from the area. Documents reveal he allowed Hanil to be transported to a different location.
Federal prosecutors noted that during their investigation, officers recovered a 30-round magazine for an AR-15 and a Walmart receipt for clothing intended for Hanil, dated July 6. Thomas mentioned that he had purchased clothes for the suspect.
It’s also reported that Thomas was part of two signal chat groups that discussed Hanil, and he allegedly deleted his name from one of them the morning after the shooting.
Sharp has also been implicated in organizing transport for Hanil and monitoring group chats that discussed plans for the attack. Authorities have arrested a total of 14 people suspected of involvement, yet Hanil remains at large.
While Fox News Digital could not find an attorney representing either Thomas or Sharp, it highlights that Hanil is wanted for his role in targeting ice agents during the incident.
The FBI speculates that Hanil may be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but has potentially extended his search efforts to surrounding states. The accusations against him include firing two AR-15-style rifles at correctional officers and an Alvarado police officer, leading to charges of attempted murder of federal officers.
A reward of $25,000 is being offered by the FBI for any information leading to Hanil’s capture, with authorities classifying him as armed and dangerous.
Larson mentioned that the investigation is closing in on Hanil, saying his resources may be dwindling as the manhunt continues.
