A Korean American Marine Corps Reserve veteran in his 30s has been charged in the recent shooting outside an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention center in Texas, shocking the community.
According to CBS News on July 9, Hanil Song (Benjamin Hanil Song, 32) was involved in the shooting. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on July 4 outside the ICE Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. Graffiti reading “ICE pigs” and “traitors” had been found on the facility’s outer wall. When unarmed correctional officers came out to check, Song and his accomplices, who were hiding in nearby woods, opened fire on them.
Between 20 to 30 shots were fired. Shortly after, an officer from the Alvarado Police Department arrived at the scene and was shot in the neck.
The FBI has designated Song as armed and dangerous and announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
On July 10, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) added Song to its “Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list. Song has been charged with three counts of attempted murder of federal officers and three counts of firearm offenses. Authorities said that after the shooting, Song fled the scene with weapons, hid overnight in the forest, and remains at large.
Song served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2011 to 2016, but received an Other Than Honorable Discharge.
A total of 12 people, including Song, have been indicted by federal prosecutors in connection with the shooting. Eleven have been charged with attempted murder of federal officers. Ten have been arrested, while Song remains the only fugitive. The remaining individual was charged with evidence concealment and obstruction of justice and has been arrested.
Authorities seized military uniforms, bulletproof vests, tactical gear, fireworks, Faraday bags (special pouches that block electronic signals to prevent tracking or scanning), and inflammatory flyers from the scene. CBS News reported that Song purchased four firearms used in the attack himself and carried out the planned operation with his accomplices while wearing military uniforms.
Authorities are continuing their search for Song and are investigating whether there were additional conspirators involved.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
