Sunday, March 15, 2026- A federal jury in Fort Worth has convicted eight people on terrorism‑related charges connected to a July 4 attack at the Prairieland Detention Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Dallas.
Prosecutors linked the defendants to what they described as an operation by individuals affiliated with antifa, the loose anti‑fascist movement, though defense attorneys denied any formal ties to such a group. The case marked one of the first times “material support” to terrorism charges were used in connection with alleged antifa activity.
The shooting occurred outside the detention center during a protest that included vandalism, fireworks, and clashes with law enforcement. One defendant, identified by prosecutors as Benjamin Song, was convicted of attempted murder after firing shots that wounded an Alvarado police officer while responding to the scene.
Other convicted individuals were found guilty of offenses including providing material support for terrorism, rioting, and conspiracy involving explosives during the riot.
Defense lawyers argued that most protesters intended only to demonstrate support for detained immigrants and brought firearms for self‑defense, not violence, calling the terrorism charges politically charged and a potential threat to First Amendment rights.
Critics of the prosecution warn the verdict could have broader implications for how authorities handle violent protests and classify political activism under terrorism statutes. Sentencing for the convicted defendants is scheduled for June.
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