Up to 10 people are now facing attempted murder charges after allegedly orchestrating an ambush targeting ICE agents near a detention center in Alvarado, Texas. At a press conference held Monday, Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson condemned the incident, describing it as a serious and growing concern. “This was an egregious attack on federal and local law enforcement officers, and it is part of an increasing trend of violence against them,” Larson stated.
According to Larson, the suspects are accused of using graffiti as a tactic to draw Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the area before launching the attack.
“The graffiti had such words as traitor, ice pig, and other profanity,” said Larson. “Then there was a 911 call from the facility. Two unarmed corrections officers went outside to speak with the vandals. One of the gunmen signaled using a flashlight to the vandals.”
According to CBS News, Alvarado Police were called to an the ICE Prairieland Detention Facility where a suspicious person was reportedly seen carrying a firearm:
Alvarado police said that when one of the first responding officers tried to engage with the person, an unknown number of suspects opened fire. At least one bullet struck an officer in the neck, police said.
The injured officer was flown from the scene to a Fort Worth hospital, was treated and later released, Alvarado police said.
Ten suspects have been charged with three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto each face a mandatory 10 years, up to life in prison sentence.
Breitbart News reports an 11th suspect faces up to 10 years in prison for charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to allegedly attempt to conceal and destroy evidence connected to the ambush.
