FBI Launches Manhunt for Former Marine Linked to Armed Ambush at Texas ICE Facility

Benjamin Hanil Song is a former US Marine Corps reservist.

The FBI is actively searching for a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist accused of participating in a coordinated ambush on law enforcement officers at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4.

Benjamin Hanil Song, 32, of Dallas, has been identified as the 12th suspect in the attack at the Prairieland Detention Center. According to a federal criminal complaint, Song allegedly fired two AR-15-style rifles at two correctional officers and an Alvarado police officer during the late-night assault.

Song is facing multiple federal charges, including three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Authorities warn he is armed and dangerous, and the FBI has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

The FBI suspected Song was involved in an ambush on officers at an ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas.

A statewide Blue Alert was issued Wednesday evening across Texas, notifying residents of Song’s status as a fugitive wanted in connection with the serious injury of a law enforcement officer.

The complaint alleges that between 10 and 12 individuals, dressed in black tactical clothing, launched a coordinated assault on the detention center at approximately 10:30 p.m. The attackers used fireworks to create chaos, vandalized vehicles and guard stations with graffiti, and opened fire on officers responding to the scene.

An Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck after arriving on scene and was reportedly ambushed by a shooter concealed in nearby woods. Meanwhile, unarmed correctional officers who exited the facility were targeted by another assailant firing multiple rounds from across the street.

Song is accused of firing two AR-15 style rifles at two correctional officers and one Alvarado police officer

Investigators later linked Song to four firearms connected to the attack. Two of the weapons — AR-15-style rifles — were recovered at the scene, including one equipped with a binary trigger, which enables rapid fire beyond that of a standard semiautomatic weapon.

Additional AR-style rifles were discovered during searches of residences and vehicles tied to the suspects.

Ten of the alleged attackers were apprehended shortly after the incident by responding law enforcement. However, Song evaded capture. Authorities later located a white Mercedes-Benz registered to one of Song's relatives parked near the home of one of the co-conspirators, raising further suspicion.

In total, eleven individuals have been charged in connection with the assault. They include:

Cameron Arnold

Savanna Batten

Nathan Baumann

Zachary Evetts

Joy Gibson

Bradford Morris

Maricela Rueda

Seth Sikes

Elizabeth Soto

Ines Soto

A twelfth person has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to destroy evidence in an effort to shield the attackers from prosecution.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Song’s whereabouts to contact the FBI immediately and are reminding the public not to approach him due to the risk he poses.