News Summary
Benjamin Hanil Song, a former U.S. Marine and a fugitive, has been captured following a violent ambush on the Prairieland Detention Center. The attack involved gunfire against law enforcement, injuring an officer. Authorities had been searching for Song after he evaded arrest for weeks. He faces multiple charges including attempted murder of federal officers. Two accomplices have also been arrested as part of the investigation. Law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring justice and safety for their officers and the community.
Dallas, Texas – Benjamin Hanil Song, a 32-year-old man on the Texas Top 10 Most Wanted list, has been arrested following an attack on the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado on July 4, during which he allegedly attempted to murder three law enforcement officers. Law enforcement officials confirmed his capture on Tuesday, following a persistent manhunt after a Blue Alert was issued for his arrest on July 9.
Song is accused of firing on two correctional officers and one officer from the Alvarado Police Department during the ambush. One of the officers sustained a gunshot wound to the neck but is expected to recover from the injury. Following the attack, Song reportedly fled into nearby woods, hiding overnight before escaping with the help of accomplices.
The capture of Song culminated weeks of investigation, during which the FBI worked tirelessly to locate him. Through phone location data and surveillance footage, authorities linked him to the ambush, where it is believed he participated alongside 10 to 12 other suspects. His arrest marked a significant development in a case that saw authorities offering a total of $35,000 in rewards for information leading to his apprehension.
Two other individuals have also been captured and are accused of assisting Song by hindering his arrest. They have been identified as John Phillip Thomas and Lynette Read Sharp. Following his arrest, Song was set to be booked into the Johnson County Jail, facing multiple charges that include three counts of attempted murder of federal officers and three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, received an other-than-honorable discharge in 2016. He specialized in supply administration and operations. In recent months, civil lawsuits had also implicated him in incidents of violence related to counter-protests. Details of the attack revealed that the suspects were armed with AR-style rifles and wore body armor, vandalizing property and using fireworks to distract from their actions.
During the ambush, eleven suspects were apprehended at the scene, while Song initially evaded capture. The legal implications for Song and his associates are severe, as law enforcement officials have indicated their commitment to prosecuting everyone involved in the planned attack targeting law enforcement personnel, underscoring the seriousness of the incident and the response from various law enforcement agencies.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson acknowledged the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies in apprehending Song, as the situation highlighted the dangers faced by those in law enforcement positions. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the attack, with hope for recovery and justice for the officers involved.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 4 News
- Wikipedia: Benjamin Hanil Song
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google Search: Benjamin Hanil Song
- WFAA
- Google News: Texas ICE attack
