News Summary
Benjamin Hanil Song, a former Marine, was arrested following a violent attack on Alvarado police officers. The incident involved a group ambushing officers, resulting in serious charges against Song and ten accomplices. The FBI’s investigation revealed advanced planning and anti-law enforcement sentiment among the attackers, raising concerns about the increasing sophistication of attacks on law enforcement.
Dallas, Texas – Former Marine Benjamin Hanil Song, 32, was arrested by FBI agents after a weeklong manhunt following an organized attack on Alvarado police officers. The arrest was announced by Nancy E. Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Song faces serious charges, including three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a violent crime.
The violent attack occurred at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025, just after 10:30 p.m. A group dressed in black military-style clothing shot fireworks toward the facility, luring correctional officers outside. During the ambush, an Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck but fortunately survived after receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
Song’s arrest followed a series of events that began with the attacks where ten others were charged alongside him in a complaint filed on July 7, 2025. The individuals charged included Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto. Additionally, Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada was charged with obstruction of justice, while John Thomas and Lynette Sharp face charges as accessories after the fact for aiding in Song’s evasion of law enforcement.
Prosecutors allege that the group utilized Signal Chat groups to communicate effectively, planning the attack and conducting reconnaissance on law enforcement locations. Investigators found that Song purchased four firearms in connection with the ambush, which included two AR-style rifles. Following the incident, Song managed to avoid capture, even as location data indicated that his phone was near the detention center until the evening of July 5. A Blue Alert was finally issued for his capture on July 9, five days after the attack, leading to him being placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Song was ultimately apprehended at the Meadowcrest Apartments in North Dallas. The coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies underscored a commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence against law enforcement, as stated by federal prosecutors. If convicted, Song and the other individuals charged could face a minimum of ten years in prison, with the potential for life sentences.
Evidence collected during the investigation included graffiti on vehicles, with inscriptions like “ICE pig,” which further indicates the group’s anti-law enforcement sentiment. Additionally, the FBI’s investigation revealed the presence of anti-government propaganda and related gear, such as masks and radios that were used by the attackers during the assault.
The timing and coordination of the attack, alongside the advanced planning evidenced by the technology used for communication, have raised serious concerns for law enforcement regarding the increasing sophistication of attacks against them. The arrest of Benjamin Hanil Song and his accomplices sends a strong message about the consequences of engaging in violence against law enforcement personnel.
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