Ten charged over shooting 'ambush' of ICE officers outside Texas detention centre

Ten individuals have been charged following an alleged planned ambush on immigration officers outside a Texas detention centre.

The group faces three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and firearms offences, in relation to the shooting that occurred outside the Prairieland Detention Centre in Alvarado on Friday, where ICE officers and police were fired upon by automatic assault rifles.

Prosecutors claim the attackers, dressed in black military-style attire, initially set off fireworks at the facility as part of a "coordinated attack."

They are then accused of vandalising cars by spray-painting "traitor" and "ICE pig" on them. The incident was reported by correctional officers who called the police, who arrived only to find themselves facing an armed ambush.

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Upon the arrival of a police officer, it is alleged that an individual hiding in the woods shot him in the neck. Authorities also claim another assailant fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers from across the street, reports the Mirror US.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene but were intercepted and arrested by other officers.

"Some defendants were wearing body armour, some were armed, and some had two-way radios," stated the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas in a press release.

Authorities found AR-style rifles at the scene, according to reports. Officers also allegedly discovered flyers stating, "fight ice terror with class war!" and a flag bearing the slogan "resist fascism – fight oligarchy."

Those facing charges have been named as Cameron Arnold, Savannah Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto and Ines Soto.

"Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest," stated Acting US Attorney Nancy Larson. "This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers. This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas."

Josh Johnson, Acting ERO Dallas Field Office Director, labelled the incident as an act of "vigilante lawlessness.

"Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties," he declared.