The trial opened in Dallas for nine people accused in a July 4, 2025, shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center that wounded an Alvarado police lieutenant. Prosecutors say masked participants fired fireworks, vandalized property and escalated to gunfire, and eight defendants face material-support-for-terrorism charges tied to a presidential designation of antifa. Defense lawyers say their clients were demonstrators, not members of a terrorist organization, and stress jurors must judge each defendant’s individual actions. The trial is expected to last more than three weeks, and some defendants face life sentences if convicted.
Trial Opens in Dallas Over July 4 Shooting Outside Prairieland Detention Center
People hold signs across the street from the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse during a trial for nine people connected to a 2025 shooting outside an ICE detention facility Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
DALLAS — A closely watched federal trial opened Tuesday over a July 4, 2025, shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas that wounded an Alvarado police lieutenant. Federal prosecutors told jurors they believe participants in the demonstration were affiliated with antifa and that the event escalated from fireworks and vandalism to deadly gunfire.
Department of Homeland Security officers stand outside the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nine defendants have pleaded not guilty in connection with the incident; eight face charges of providing material support to terrorists. Prosecutors say those counts follow a presidential designation of antifa as a domestic terrorist movement, while most defendants also face additional charges, including attempted murder of a law officer.
Susan Oakey holds a sign across the street from the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse during a trial for nine people connected to a 2025 shooting outside an ICE detention facility Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Prosecution account: Prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors that people dressed in black and wearing masks fired fireworks toward the detention center, vandalized vehicles and a guard shed, and included some individuals carrying firearms and body armor. The indictment alleges that as local officers responded, someone yelled, “get to the rifles,” and gunfire followed. Prosecutors say defendant Benjamin Song opened fire and wounded Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross.
Department of Homeland Security officers patrol outside the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Victim testimony: Lt. Thomas Gross was the first witness. He testified he responded around 11 p.m. to a call from the detention center, saw graffiti and people dressed in black with covered faces, and, upon exiting his vehicle, encountered a person carrying a rifle. He described the scene as "extremely chaotic" and said he was struck by a round that entered his shoulder and exited his neck.
Susan Oakey holds a sign across the street from the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse during a trial for nine people connected to a 2025 shooting outside an ICE detention facility Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Defense stance: Defense attorneys said jurors must judge each defendant only for their own actions, arguing many clients were peaceful demonstrators who came to support immigrants inside the facility. Attorney Chris Tolbert, representing Savanna Batten, said Batten did not bring firearms, spray paint or fireworks and that her Emma Goldman–named book club is not a recruiting ground for antifa. "She’s not a member of antifa, she’s not providing material support to terrorists," Tolbert told jurors.
Attorney James Luster, for Autumn Hill, said Hill left after watching fireworks and had no intention of provoking violence. Several people connected to the case have already pleaded guilty to material-support charges and face sentences of up to 15 years.
What’s at stake: The trial is expected to last more than three weeks. Prosecutors say several defendants could face life in prison if convicted on the most serious counts. FBI Director Kash Patel has said the Texas case marks the first time material-support-for-terrorism charges were used against people he described as antifa members.
"Make no mistake, there’s nothing peaceful about what happened on July Fourth," prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors.
The court will hear witness testimony, forensic evidence and competing legal arguments as jurors consider whether the defendants' actions meet the high legal thresholds for the felony charges they face.
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