In a shocking Independence Day act that pierced the sense of national celebration with the unmistakable echo of gunfire, 32-year-old Benjamin Hanil Song is now the subject of an urgent statewide Blue Alert and a federal manhunt after he allegedly carried out a brazen armed attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, that left a police officer wounded. Song is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the attempted murder of a federal officer and for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence—charges that carry immense gravity under federal law and underscore the severity of the incident.

The target of the July 4 attack was the Prairieland Detention Center, a secured ICE facility operated in Alvarado, a small North Texas city located about 25 miles south of Fort Worth. According to preliminary reports released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and corroborated by the FBI, Song was allegedly involved in an armed assault on or near the facility during which a law enforcement officer, later identified as an officer with the Alvarado Police Department, was shot and wounded in the line of duty. Details about the officer’s condition have not yet been made public, but authorities have confirmed that the injuries were directly related to the unfolding attack at or near the detention center.

Shortly after the incident, a Blue Alert was issued by the Texas DPS—a statewide emergency notification reserved for situations in which a suspect accused of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer remains at large and poses an imminent threat to public safety. The Blue Alert designation is designed to mobilize public awareness and law enforcement coordination rapidly, much like an Amber Alert for abducted children, except specifically for threats against police officers. The issuance of such an alert highlights not only the potential danger Song poses, but also the gravity of the assault.

Benjamin Hanil Song was last seen around 11 p.m. on July 4 in the 1200 block of Sunflower Lane, a residential neighborhood in close proximity to the ICE facility. Authorities describe Song as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is to be considered armed and dangerous, and officials have urged the public not to approach him under any circumstances. Instead, anyone with information on his whereabouts is being urged to call 911 immediately or contact the FBI at (800) 225-5324.

Song is now facing a dual jurisdictional pursuit—from both state and federal law enforcement. The FBI’s federal charges of attempted murder of a federal officer and discharging a firearm in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence are among the most serious non-homicide charges in the federal penal code. They reflect a scenario in which the alleged actions not only endangered law enforcement personnel but also may have been aimed at disrupting operations at a federal detention facility, a site of heightened political and operational sensitivity.

The Prairieland Detention Center, operated under contract for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has in recent years become a focal point in the national immigration enforcement infrastructure. Located in rural Johnson County, it houses hundreds of individuals in ICE custody pending deportation or immigration hearings. The attack on such a facility carries not only criminal implications but potentially political or ideological dimensions, though authorities have not yet indicated a motive or ideological link in Song’s actions. As of now, investigators have not released information that would suggest whether Song was targeting the detention center due to its role in immigration enforcement or whether the assault stemmed from a more personal or isolated conflict.

What is clear, however, is that Song’s alleged use of lethal force to strike at a federal facility and wound a police officer signals a level of premeditation and volatility that has authorities deeply concerned. Blue Alerts are rare in Texas and are not issued lightly. Their activation triggers statewide dissemination of the suspect’s information to media outlets, digital highway signs, cell phone alerts, and all levels of law enforcement agencies.

The shooting on July 4th came on a night when communities across the state were gathering to mark the country’s independence—an irony not lost on many who have since reacted to the incident. Instead of celebrating freedom and national unity, Alvarado found itself confronting violence, fear, and chaos in the very hours meant for reflection and togetherness. The gunfire shattered not only the peace of the holiday but also public confidence in the security of a sensitive federal site.

Though further information about Song’s background has not been released, the nature of the charges against him—especially the “discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence”—points to potential aggravating factors in his conduct. Federal prosecutors typically only invoke that statute when a weapon is used in connection with a broader violent act, such as assault on law enforcement or an attempt to obstruct federal operations.

The injured police officer, whose name and condition remain unreleased out of apparent concern for privacy and safety, represents a growing and deeply concerning trend of violence against law enforcement across the country. The fact that the officer was wounded while responding to an incident at a federal detention facility adds layers of jurisdictional complexity and public alarm. It also elevates the stakes of the manhunt: this is no ordinary suspect. Song is wanted for attempting to kill someone whose job is to protect and serve under both state and federal authority.

The FBI’s involvement suggests the investigation could expand rapidly in scope. In cases such as this, federal agents typically gather surveillance footage, digital evidence, firearms records, and witness statements while working in concert with local authorities. The goal is not only to apprehend Song, but also to build a prosecutable case that will stand up in federal court.

As of now, there has been no public indication that Song has made contact with anyone since the incident. His last known location—the 1200 block of Sunflower Lane—has likely been searched and canvassed extensively by investigators. What remains uncertain is whether he fled on foot, by vehicle, or with assistance. Law enforcement agencies across North Texas are likely on high alert, with officers briefed to be on the lookout for Song at traffic stops, hospitals, hotels, and public transit hubs.

For residents of Alvarado, the attack is a jarring reminder of how quickly violence can reach even small-town communities. The presence of the Prairieland facility has long existed in the background of local life, but the July 4 shooting has now brought national scrutiny—and danger—into focus. Community members have been asked to remain vigilant, with many adjusting their routines and monitoring updates from the Texas DPS and the FBI.

Authorities continue to emphasize the need for public assistance in locating Song. With few details released about his motive or affiliations, the possibility remains that someone in the public may know of his whereabouts—or may be unknowingly harboring a fugitive. Federal and state law make it a serious crime to assist a suspect in evading arrest, especially in cases involving attempted murder of law enforcement officers.

As the manhunt stretches beyond its initial 48-hour window, concerns rise about the risk Song may pose to others. The FBI’s warning to consider him armed and dangerous is not rhetorical—it reflects the likelihood that he remains in possession of a weapon and may act violently again if confronted.

The urgency surrounding the case is reflected not just in the charges and alerts, but in the very mechanisms deployed to apprehend Song. A Blue Alert. FBI involvement. Cross-jurisdictional cooperation. It all amounts to a high-priority law enforcement effort to stop a dangerous suspect before more damage can be done.

In the meantime, a wounded police officer recovers, a federal facility tightens its security, and a community watches nervously as the search unfolds. July 4 in Alvarado will not be remembered for fireworks or family gatherings. It will be remembered for gunfire, fear, and the flight of a suspect accused of trying to kill those sworn to protect.

And until Benjamin Hanil Song is in custody, that fear will not subside.