Trial in Alleged Antifa Shooting at Texas ICE Detention Center Kicks Off

Suspected members of Antifa, which has been designated a domestic terrorist group, are on trial in Texas for allegedly attacking an immigration holding facility.

The incident, in which one officer survived after being shot in the neck, took place on July 4, 2025, outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas.

The Fort Worth trial, which is expected to last about three weeks, was delayed after Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas declared a mistrial on Feb. 17.

Pittman issued the ruling because a defense attorney was wearing a T-shirt bearing a civil rights message during jury selection.

The judge rescheduled the trial for Feb. 23 and arranged remote public viewing of the proceedings at the Dallas federal courthouse.

Charges vary against the nine defendants. They include providing material support to terrorists, attempted murder, conspiracy to carry an explosive, rioting, and others.

Members of Antifa, short for anti-fascist, have not faced terrorism related charges until now, despite being involved in organized protests across the country that have at times turned violent.

Antifa is modeled after a militant group that worked as the violent arm of the Communist Party in Germany starting in the 1930s. Some symbols from the original group are still used by the movement today, such as the raised-fist salute.

“First time ever: The FBI arrested Antifa-aligned anarchist violent extremists, and terrorism charges have been brought for the July 4 Prairieland ICE attack in Texas,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote in an October 2025 post on X.

The landmark trial follows President Donald Trump’s executive order on Sept. 22, 2025, designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

‘Black Bloc’ Attack

Authorities say members of a North Texas Antifa cell wearing “black bloc,” or all black clothing and face coverings, showed up at the Prairieland Detention Center shortly before 11 p.m. with fireworks and a bullhorn on July 4, 2025.

Some brought body armor, such as Kevlar vests, and rifles, according to the superseding indictment.

The group allegedly vandalized vehicles, a guard shack, and a security camera, and launched fireworks at the building as a diversionary tactic to draw officers out into the open, according to authorities.

One defendant yelled, “Get to the rifles,” before a defendant allegedly opened fire, striking an Alvarado Police Department officer who had responded to a 911 call from the facility.

The wounded officer fell but managed to return fire. He was treated at a local hospital and recovered.

Additional rounds were allegedly shot at the injured officer and at least one other unarmed Department of Homeland Security correctional officer, who was seeking cover, according to the superseding indictment.

At least 11 rounds were fired from one or more of the defendants, according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged Antifa cell had more than 50 firearms, including AR-15-style rifles that had been modified to shoot in rapid bursts, according to authorities.

They used an encrypted messaging app and monikers in group chats to hide their identities, according to the indictment.

Some allegedly used handheld radios, and at least one had a “Faraday bag,” which is used to block law enforcement from tracing cellphones; others conducted reconnaissance and discussed what to bring to the “riot,” according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged Antifa members called the plan a “noise protest” to show solidarity with illegal immigrants inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, according to the criminal complaint.

During opening arguments on Feb. 24, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith told the jury that defendant Benjamin Song allegedly shot 11 times at police and detention officers until his rifle jammed.

He then allegedly hid in nearby woods for 24 hours.

The prosecution alleged that Song confessed to the shooting and that cooperating witnesses would corroborate that assertion.

According to the indictment, he was seen as the group’s leader.

Smith told the jury that the strategy of wearing all black was to conceal Antifa members’ identities.

“It’s impossible to tell who is doing what, and that’s the point,” he said.

‘Make America Not Exist Again’

Smith showed the jury a slideshow that included evidence of anti-government art and slogans such as “Make America not exist again,” and “We don’t want revenge, we want reform.”

He said Antifa was a socialist organization that called for direct action.

Cameron Arnold (also known as Autumn Hill), Zachary Evetts, Bradford Morris (also known as Meagan Morris), Maricela Rueda, and Benjamin Song face the most serious charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and providing material support to terrorists.

Defense attorneys told the jury that the government wouldn’t be able to prove wrongdoing beyond a reasonable doubt because only Song shot at officers, and the other protesters were not involved in the incident.

The protest was to show detainees at the immigration holding facility that they were supported, the attorneys said.

Several said inmates gathered around a window, signaling approval with thumbs-up and smiles.

“The goal was to communicate to those inside that you are not forgotten,” said Patrick McLain, attorney for Evetts.

McLain said his client never planned a riot and never spoke of harming anyone, nor did his client describe himself as Antifa.

Department of Justice witnesses are expected to include local and federal officers, forensic experts, and counterterrorism expert Kyle Shideler, senior analyst for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the Center for Security Policy.

Defendants are expected to call more than a dozen witnesses, including Shon Meckfessel, an author with expertise in disruptive social movements who published a 2009 book describing his experiences as an anarchist in the Balkans; and Steven Gardiner, principal research adviser at Political Research Associates, who is known for his opposition to the “politics of bigotry, violence and authoritarianism” and the “religious right.”

If convicted, the defendants face a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.

Other defendants facing lesser charges include Savanna Batten, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, and Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada.

Five individuals already pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges on Nov. 19, 2025, for supporting Antifa members in the July shooting.

Nathan Baumann, 20; Joy Gibson, 30; Seth Sikes, 22; Lynette Sharp, 57; and John Thomas, 32, each entered guilty pleas to one count of providing material support to terrorists during a federal court hearing.