A manhunt is currently underway for Benjamin Song, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, who is suspected of participating in an anti-ICE attack in Alvarado, Texas, on Independence Day. The attack, which left a local police officer shot in the neck and cars vandalized, has prompted a significant law enforcement response, with the FBI offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Song, now facing federal charges for attempted murder and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, is considered armed and dangerous.
The FBI is also investigating other suspects linked to the attack. One of the suspects, Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, is reportedly the husband of one of the alleged attackers and has been granted a green card under the Biden administration. He is also a prior recipient of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This has raised questions about the potential influence of immigration policies on the incident, adding a layer of political complexity to the investigation.
Song’s alleged ties to an Antifa group were previously uncovered in a 2023 lawsuit after three people protesting a drag queen brunch near Fort Worth, Texas, were assaulted by members of the group. At the time, the group, known as the Elm Fork Brown Gun Club, was counter-protesting and providing security at the event, with members wearing face coverings. The group gained attention for its counter-protest activities, which were part of a larger conflict between Christian nationalist groups and anti-government activists.
Additionally, the investigation has revealed that some of the suspects involved in the Independence Day incident met in an online chat group on Signal. Court records indicate that the attack could have been more severe, as the assailants fired 20 to 30 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle before it jammed. The FBI is continuing to explore how these suspects were linked, including through possible connections to the Signal group.
Forensic evidence and digital footprints are being scrutinized to piece together the events leading up to the attack. Song’s family, including his father Tailim Song, a Dallas-based business attorney, and his mother Hope Song, the program director of an Arlington, Texas, martial arts studio, have been contacted by the FBI for further information. The investigation into the incident underscores the growing tensions between law enforcement and anti-government groups, particularly in the context of immigration policy and national security concerns.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about the role of online platforms in facilitating extremist activities and the implications of immigration policies on public safety. As the FBI continues its manhunt, the case remains a focal point for political and legal scrutiny, highlighting the complex interplay between law enforcement, immigration, and domestic security in the United States.