At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, federal and local law enforcement officials arrested Benjamin Song in North Dallas in connection with the July 4 terrorist attack on the Prairie Land Detention Facility in Alvarado and the attempted capital murder of an Alvarado police officer.
The arrest followed the execution of a state search warrant led by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office with tactical support from the FBI SWAT team. Due to the nature of the charges and concerns for officer safety, the operation was conducted with heightened caution. Song was taken into custody without incident.
A second suspect, also believed to be involved in the terrorist attack and charged with aiding and abetting Song while he was a fugitive, was apprehended at a separate location around the same time. Authorities have not released the second suspect’s name pending further investigation.
The arrests conclude 11 days of intensive investigation involving multiple agencies, including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Alvarado Police Department, Texas Rangers, FBI agents and tactical teams, intelligence analysts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, and other federal partners.
Officials credited swift judicial cooperation for the operation’s success. State District Judges William Bosworth (413th) and Tiffany Strother (249th) provided after-hours assistance, including reviewing and signing warrants as late as 3:00 a.m. during the course of the manhunt.
“This investigation underscores the power of collaboration across jurisdictions,” said representatives from the Johnson and Somervell County District Attorney's Office. “To those who would carry out acts of terror and violence: we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
The investigation remains active, with law enforcement continuing to pursue leads. Prosecutors have vowed a thorough and aggressive prosecution of those responsible for the Alvarado attack. 10 had been charged after the ambush of the officer.
Benjamin Song is being held at the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center. His bond has been set at $15,000,000.
