The US Department of Justice on 7/7 announced charges of attempted murder and armed violence against 10 suspects for orchestrating an ambush and shooting that injured an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Texas.
According to prosecutors, the attack occurred on the night of July 4 outside the Prairieland detention center in Alvarado, which ICE is using to hold undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation.
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Texas police search for suspects who ambushed an ICE agent last weekend. Photo: WFAA |
Texas police search for suspects who ambushed an ICE agent last weekend. Photo: WFAA
The suspects, dressed in military-style clothing, initially set off fireworks outside the detention center and spray-painted anti-ICE messages on vehicles and a guard post.
When two unarmed guards and an armed patrol officer were sent to investigate, the group attacked. A suspect hiding in the woods shot and wounded the patrol officer in the neck, while another suspect fired 20 to 30 rounds at the two guards.
"The suspects planned to lure ICE personnel out of the center. This was an ambush intended to kill ICE officers," said Nancy Larson, acting US attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
The suspects fled but were apprehended about 300 meters from the scene. Some wore body armor and carried radios and weapons. Police recovered an assault rifle at the scene, along with flags and flyers with anti-government slogans.
In subsequent searches, police found masks, goggles, gloves, spray paint, ammunition magazines, and 12 sets of body armor in the suspects' homes and vehicles.
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Body armor and ammunition magazines seized from the suspects. Photo: US Department of Justice |
Body armor and ammunition magazines seized from the suspects. Photo: US Department of Justice
Also on 7/7, another attack occurred in McAllen, Texas, more than 640 km south of Alvarado.
Ryan Louis Mosqueda, 27, wearing military-style clothing and carrying an assault rifle, fired dozens of rounds at a US Customs and Border Protection facility, injuring a police officer. The suspect was later shot and killed.
The Justice Department said it is closely monitoring attacks on ICE facilities. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the US government will not tolerate any attacks on federal personnel or facilities.
Thanh Danh (According to AP, Fox)
