Nine Face Terrorism Charges in Texas Detention Center Officer Shooting

Nine defendants are on trial in Dallas for allegedly shooting a police officer during a July 4th demonstration at an immigration detention facility. Federal prosecutors claim the group has ties to antifa, while defense attorneys argue their clients were participating in a peaceful protest.

DALLAS — A federal trial commenced Tuesday with prosecutors alleging that nine individuals connected to antifa were responsible for shooting a police officer during a demonstration at a Texas immigration detention facility last summer.

The defendants have entered not guilty pleas regarding their alleged participation in the incident at Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas this past July, where a law enforcement officer sustained a gunshot wound to the neck.

Eight defendants are facing charges of providing material support to terrorists, stemming from President Donald Trump’s designation of the loosely organized antifa movement as a domestic terrorist organization. Additional charges against most defendants include attempted murder of a police officer.

Defense lawyers maintain their clients were not antifa members but were instead participating in what they called a “noise demonstration” featuring fireworks on July 4, 2025, intended to express solidarity with detained immigrants.

“Make no mistake, there’s nothing peaceful about what happened on July Fourth,” prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors.

The proceedings are anticipated to continue for more than three weeks, with several defendants potentially facing life sentences if found guilty.

The indictment describes a group dressed in black clothing and masks, with some carrying weapons and protective gear, who launched fireworks at the facility and damaged vehicles plus a security structure. When local police arrived, someone reportedly shouted “get to the rifles” before gunfire erupted, striking an officer.

Smith explained that while defendant Benjamin Song allegedly fired the shots, multiple other defendants face attempted murder and firearm discharge charges because such violence was a predictable outcome of their planning. Song’s legal representative chose not to present opening remarks Tuesday.

Alvarado police Lt. Thomas Gross, the wounded officer, served as the initial witness Tuesday. He described responding around 11 p.m. to a detention center emergency call, discovering graffiti on security structures and a stop sign, plus observing a guard pursuing a masked individual in dark clothing.

Gross testified about exiting his patrol car and encountering another masked person in black carrying a rifle.

“At this point the scene is becoming extremely chaotic,” he said.

He informed jurors that a bullet entered his shoulder and exited through his neck.

Defense attorneys emphasized that their clients should be evaluated based solely on their individual conduct. “It’s a trial within a trial,” stated attorney Chris Tolbert, representing Savanna Batten.

Tolbert argued his client brought no weapons, spray paint, or fireworks to the location. While prosecutors claim her book club — named after anarchist Emma Goldman — serves as an antifa recruitment tool, he insisted it’s simply a reading group.

“She’s not a member of antifa, she’s not providing material support to terrorists,” Tolbert said.

Antifa, short for “anti-fascists,” represents not one organization but rather a broad term for far-left militant groups that oppose neo-Nazis and white supremacists at rallies. FBI Director Kash Patel indicated the Texas charges mark the first instance of material support terrorism charges being applied to alleged antifa participants.

Attorney James Luster, defending Autumn Hill, described his client as deeply committed to helping marginalized people, including immigrants. Luster said Hill departed after observing fireworks being launched skyward, leaving before police arrival.

“It was never supposed to come to this,” Luster said.

Multiple individuals have already entered guilty pleas to providing material support to terrorists in connection with antifa activities related to the July 4 shooting. They could receive up to 15 years in prison when sentenced.