Ten individuals have been arrested and charged with attempted murder of federal officers after what authorities described as a "planned ambush" on the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas.
“This was a planned ambush with the intent to kill ICE corrections officers,” said Nancy Larson, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, during a press conference.
According to officials, the group used fireworks to draw corrections officers outside the facility late Friday night before launching a coordinated attack that included vandalism, gunfire, and attempted arson.
Individuals dressed in black, military-style clothing began shooting fireworks and defacing property with graffiti. Some damaged vehicles while others sprayed messages like “resist fascism, fight oligarchy,” and distributed flyers that read “fight ICE terror with class war—free all political prisoners.”
One Alvarado police officer responding to the scene was shot in the neck but is expected to recover, said Josh Johnson, acting field office director for ERO Dallas. No ICE employees were injured in the incident.
One suspect, identified as Bradford Morris was arrested shortly after the attack. Authorities say Morris was carrying Kevlar vests and a magazine clip. He allegedly told investigators he connected online with others who wanted to “make a little noise” at the detention center.
Over the weekend, law enforcement conducted multiple searches, recovering 12 sets of body armor, cell phones, more fireworks, and two AR-15 rifles, along with the anti-ICE flyers.
The U.S. attorney's office has charged all 10 individuals with three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation with support from state and local agencies.
