An Alvarado, Texas, police officer was shot in the neck Friday night while responding to a suspicious-person call outside the Prairieland ICE detention facility, prompting a “zero tolerance” response from the Justice Department.
At a Glance
- The shooting occurred shortly before 11 p.m. near the Prairieland ICE center in Alvarado.
- Several suspects fired on responding officers, injuring one in the neck.
- The wounded officer was transported to Fort Worth and has since been released.
- At least eight armed individuals were taken into custody in connection with the attack.
- Deputy AG Todd Blanche emphasized the DOJ’s “zero tolerance” for assaults on federal officers or property.
Officer Shot Amid Late‑Night Ambush
Officers responded to a report of a suspicious individual on Sunflower Lane near the ICE facility just before 11 p.m., where they encountered what Alvarado Police described as a heavily armed group dressed in black. During the initial contact, multiple suspects opened fire, striking one officer in the neck. The officer was airlifted to a Fort Worth hospital and later released after treatment, according to CBS News Texas.
Authorities arrested several suspects at the scene with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Reports indicate some individuals wore body armor and used fireworks to lure law enforcement into the ambush, as detailed in Fox News coverage.
Watch a report: Officer injured after armed group targets North Texas ICE facility
Justice Department Vows Strong Response
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the DOJ has “zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property” and pledged full prosecution of the suspects involved. His statement follows a series of violent incidents near federal detention facilities, including a separate case in Portland last month. A full investigation is underway, as confirmed by New York Post reporting.
Federal officials are now working to determine whether the attack was coordinated or ideologically motivated. The Prairieland center has previously been a site of protest, but Friday’s violence marks a significant escalation in confrontations surrounding immigration enforcement infrastructure.
