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Federal prosecutors have launched their case against nine defendants accused of participating in a shooting outside a Texas immigration detention center last year, characterizing the incident as an attack carried out by members of antifa.
The trial, which began Tuesday in Dallas, centers on events at the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas in July 2025. According to prosecutors, what defense attorneys describe as a “noise demonstration” escalated into violence when a police officer was shot in the neck and wounded.
All nine defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges that include providing material support to terrorists. Most also face additional serious charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. If convicted, several defendants could face life imprisonment.
“Make no mistake, there’s nothing peaceful about what happened on July Fourth,” prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors during opening statements.
The indictment alleges that a group dressed in black clothing and masks, some armed with firearms and wearing body armor, shot fireworks toward the detention center and vandalized vehicles and a guard shed. When local police responded, one person allegedly yelled, “get to the rifles” before opening fire and striking an officer.
Prosecutors identified Benjamin Song as the defendant who opened fire but have charged several others with attempted murder and firearms offenses, arguing that the group’s planning made such an outcome foreseeable. Song’s attorney did not present an opening statement during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Alvarado police Lt. Thomas Gross, the injured officer, was the first witness called. He testified that he responded to a call from the detention center around 11 p.m. and observed graffiti on a guard shed and a stop sign. After noticing a guard pursuing someone dressed in black with a covered face, Gross exited his vehicle and encountered another similarly dressed person carrying a rifle.
“At this point the scene is becoming extremely chaotic,” Gross testified. He told jurors he was shot with a bullet that entered his shoulder and exited through his neck.
Defense attorneys emphasized that each defendant should be judged solely on their individual actions. Chris Tolbert, representing defendant Savanna Batten, rejected the prosecution’s characterization of his client’s book club—named after anarchist Emma Goldman—as an antifa recruiting ground.
“She’s not a member of antifa, she’s not providing material support to terrorists,” Tolbert argued, noting that his client did not bring firearms, spray paint, or fireworks to the detention center.
The trial marks a significant legal test for the Biden administration’s approach to domestic extremism. FBI Director Kash Patel has stated that this case represents the first time material support to terrorism charges have targeted alleged antifa members.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascists,” is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left militant groups known for confronting neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations. President Trump previously ordered the designation of antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, providing the legal framework for these unprecedented charges.
James Luster, attorney for defendant Autumn Hill, portrayed his client as someone deeply concerned about marginalized groups, including immigrants. According to Luster, Hill left the scene after watching fireworks being launched and before police arrived.
“It was never supposed to come to this,” Luster told the jury.
Several other individuals connected to the case have already pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists for their alleged support of antifa related to the July incident. Those who have entered guilty pleas face up to 15 years in prison at sentencing.
The trial is expected to continue for approximately three weeks and will likely draw significant attention as a test case for how the justice system addresses politically motivated demonstrations that escalate to violence. Legal experts are closely monitoring the proceedings for potential precedents regarding domestic terrorism prosecutions and First Amendment protections for political demonstrators.
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18 Comments
This will certainly be a closely watched trial. Using violence and antifa tactics against a detention center is extremely concerning. I hope the facts come out and justice is served, regardless of political affiliations.
Agreed. Resorting to violence and targeting law enforcement is never the right approach, no matter one’s political views.
It’s troubling to see allegations of antifa involvement in this incident. Peaceful protests are one thing, but any use of firearms and explosives is completely unacceptable. I’ll be following the trial closely to see how the evidence plays out.
Definitely. Antifa’s tactics often veer into extremism, which undermines legitimate social justice causes. This needs to be thoroughly investigated.
This incident highlights the dangers of political extremism and the importance of maintaining the rule of law. I’ll be following the trial closely to see how the evidence supports the antifa link and the charges.
You’re right, political violence from any side is a threat to our democracy. The trial will be crucial in determining the facts and holding the responsible parties accountable.
The use of firearms and explosives outside an immigration detention center is extremely concerning. I hope the trial provides clarity on the alleged antifa connections and the level of premeditation involved.
Absolutely. Escalating a protest to violence, especially targeting law enforcement, is unacceptable. The facts need to be thoroughly examined.
Allegations of antifa involvement are very serious. I hope the trial provides a clear and objective examination of the evidence to determine the true nature and motivations behind this incident.
Agreed. It’s important to separate fact from fiction and ensure justice is served, regardless of political affiliations.
The alleged use of antifa tactics and the escalation to violence is deeply concerning. I’ll be following this trial closely to understand the full scope of the charges and the strength of the evidence supporting the accusations.
Agreed. Regardless of political affiliations, any acts of domestic terrorism must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. The trial will be crucial in determining the facts.
The use of firearms and explosives against a detention center is extremely concerning. I’ll be following this trial closely to understand the full scope of the alleged crimes and the nature of the antifa connection.
Absolutely. Any violence targeting law enforcement or government facilities is a grave threat that must be addressed. The trial will be crucial in determining the facts.
This trial will be a significant test case for how the justice system handles alleged domestic terrorism linked to extremist groups. I hope the proceedings provide clarity and transparency on the evidence and charges.
Well said. Maintaining the integrity of our justice system is critical, especially when dealing with such serious allegations. The public deserves to know the facts.
This trial will be an important test case for how the justice system handles alleged domestic terrorism linked to extremist groups. The details will be crucial in determining if these charges are warranted.
You raise a good point. Domestic terrorism, regardless of ideology, needs to be taken very seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.