This week, a federal grand jury indicted two individuals believed to be part of Antifa for their involvement in an attack on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Texas back in July.
The indictment, announced on Wednesday, claims that Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts are charged with multiple serious offenses. These include providing support for terrorism, attempting to kill a federal officer, and firing a weapon during an attempted murder, according to reports.
FBI Director Kash Patel referred to the moment as historic following the indictment’s unsealing on Thursday. He remarked, “This marks the first time ever that the FBI has apprehended violent anarchist extremists and charged members of Antifa with terrorism related activities.” Patel emphasized that this incident was a coordinated terrorist attack on the Prairie Land Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, where armed individuals allegedly tried to kill a U.S. military officer on Independence Day.
“Under President Trump’s new directives, we are executing arrests at an unprecedented rate. To date, over 20 individuals have been taken into custody connected to this case and its associated Antifa network,” Patel added. “Our priority is the safety of law enforcement, not monitoring them.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled Antifa as a “left-wing terrorist organization” and committed to pursuing its prosecution aggressively.
In July, Breitbart News reported that around 10 individuals were charged with attempted murder for allegedly ambushing ICE agents outside a detention center in Alvarado, Texas. According to a press release, those involved were dressed in black military attire and began launching fireworks at the facility as part of their planned assault.
Witnesses noted that shortly after gathering, one or two individuals separated from the group to vandalize vehicles and other structures in the parking lot. When Officer Alvarado was dispatched to investigate the disturbance, an assailant, hiding nearby, shot him in the neck. Meanwhile, another shooter fired multiple rounds at unarmed correctional officers stationed outside the facility.
An AR-style rifle was later recovered from the scene, as indicated in legal documents. Though the attackers fled, they were eventually apprehended by law enforcement. Some wore bulletproof vests, carried firearms, and had two-way radios. During a search of the area, authorities discovered numerous sets of body armor.
Officers also collected spray paint and politically charged flyers with messages like “Fight ICE terrorism with class war!” and “Free all political prisoners.”
Furthermore, the indictment claims that Arnold yelled, “Get the rifle!” as police responded to the chaos. According to the charges, as unarmed correctional officers took cover, gunfire ensued, hitting Officer Alvarado. Despite his injuries, he managed to return fire before the attackers escaped.
Recently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that designates Antifa as a terrorist entity.
