Former Marine charged with attempted murder in Texas detention center attack

In the United States, specifically Texas, a serious incident occurred at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4, 2025. A group of attackers, dressed in black military-style clothing, unleashed gunfire outside the facility, injuring a police officer who was shot in the neck. The attack was part of a coordinated plan that included the use of fireworks and vandalism to lure correctional officers out of the center. Following the chaos, 14 individuals were implicated in this violent act, with Benjamin Hanil Song, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine Corps reservist from Dallas, being arrested after a week of evasion. He faces three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in connection with a violent crime. Authorities indicated that Song had purchased four firearms that were linked to the attack. After the initial assault, ten other suspects, primarily local residents from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, were also charged with serious offenses, including attempted murder of a federal officer. Furthermore, adjacent charges were made against individuals accused of obstructing justice and assisting Song's escape. This shooting coincides with the intensifying deportation efforts under the Trump administration, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding immigration policies. The orchestrated attack appears to have been premeditated, as the suspects had outfitted themselves in military gear and were equipped with firearms, radios, and body armor. Their attempt to lure officers outside the center via fireworks and graffiti demonstrates a calculated strategy aimed at creating chaos. In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials conducted thorough searches in the vicinity, resulting in the apprehension of several suspects and the discovery of firearms and tactical gear in a nearby vehicle. Actively pursuing justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office declared that those responsible for this violent act will face significant legal repercussions should they be convicted. The seriousness of the charges could result in lengthy prison sentences for those involved, emphasizing the severe consequences tied to such violent actions against law enforcement officials.