Ten individuals have been arrested following a violent, coordinated ambush on the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, on the night of July 4. Federal authorities describe the attack as a deliberate assault on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and property, resulting in serious federal charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder of federal officers and firearm-related offenses.
According to Nancy Larson, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, the attack began around 10:37 p.m. when a group of suspects—clad in black, tactical military-style clothing—approached the facility. The group launched fireworks toward the building in an apparent effort to distract and draw ICE correctional officers out of the secured perimeter. While some members vandalized government vehicles and property with graffiti, others opened fire at the officers, discharging between 20 to 30 rounds.
During the chaos, an Alvarado police officer responding to the emergency was shot in the neck. Thankfully, no ICE personnel were physically injured, and the officer is expected to recover, according to Josh Johnson, acting field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Dallas.
Though the attackers initially fled, law enforcement agencies—including the FBI, local police, and federal agents—mobilized rapidly. Within days, all ten suspects had been apprehended through coordinated searches and follow-up operations.
One suspect, identified as Bradford Morris (also known as Megan), was arrested shortly after the incident and found in possession of a loaded magazine and Kevlar vests. According to court records, Morris told investigators that he had met others online who had planned to “make a little noise” at the facility. However, evidence later revealed that the attack was far more organized and lethal than Morris had suggested.
Searches conducted over the weekend uncovered a large cache of materials, including 12 sets of body armor, two AR-15-style rifles, fireworks, cell phones, political literature, and protest banners. Some of the items carried explicit anti-government and anti-ICE messages, including a flag that read “Resist Fascism, Fight Oligarchy” and flyers calling to “Fight ICE Terror with Class War” and “Free All Political Prisoners.”
Authorities say these findings confirm that the group was ideologically motivated and had intended to inflict harm not only on government property but also on federal officers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has since filed multiple felony charges against each suspect, including three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm about a crime of violence.
If convicted, the suspects face the possibility of life sentences in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Larson emphasized the seriousness of the crime during a Monday press conference, stating, “This was not a protest. It was a targeted ambush with lethal intent. The suspects coordinated their actions to draw officers out of the safety of the facility and attacking them.”
The FBI has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, working alongside the Department of Homeland Security, ATF, and local agencies. Preliminary findings indicate that the attackers may have coordinated the ambush using encrypted messaging platforms, potentially suggesting connections to broader anti-government or extremist networks.
A spokesperson for the FBI noted that the agency is currently analyzing digital devices recovered during the arrests to determine the full extent of the planning and whether other individuals may have been involved.
The incident has raised national concern about the safety of federal facilities, particularly ICE detention centers, which have increasingly become targets of protest and, in rare cases, violence. While the motives behind the attack appear to be rooted in political ideology and anti-immigration enforcement sentiment, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism-related charges pending further investigation.
In response to the attack, federal agencies are reviewing security procedures across multiple facilities to identify potential vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures may be introduced at ICE centers around the country, especially in light of the growing trend of ideologically driven violence.
Acting ICE Director Josh Johnson commended the staff at the Prairieland facility for their discipline under pressure and highlighted the swift and effective law enforcement response that prevented further harm.
“The bravery of our personnel and the rapid intervention of local and federal law enforcement spared us from what could have been a mass casualty event,” Johnson said. “This kind of premeditated violence has no place in civil society.”
The injured Alvarado officer remains in stable condition, and city officials have thanked the community for their support during his recovery. His identity has not been released to the public.
This attack underscores a troubling reality: that political extremism, especially when coupled with access to firearms and tactical equipment, can pose a serious threat to public safety and national institutions. It also reflects the evolving nature of domestic threats in the United States, where online radicalization and anti-government ideologies are increasingly resulting in violent actions.
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, particularly those involving threats against public institutions or coordinated plans circulating online. The Department of Justice has stated that it will pursue the maximum penalties under the law and is considering enhanced sentencing guidelines due to the premeditated nature of the attack and the targeting of law enforcement.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings move forward, this case is expected to draw national attention and may influence future policies regarding domestic extremism, the protection of federal personnel, and the role of online platforms in enabling acts of politically motivated violence.
