Several Suspects in Custody After Police Officer Shot Near ICE Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas

ALVARADO, TEXAS (CBS News) – Multiple suspects are in custody following a shooting that injured a police officer near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, late on the night of July 4th.

Just before 11 p.m., the Alvarado Police Department responded to a call about a suspicious person near the 1200 block of Sunflower Lane, outside the ICE Prairieland Detention Facility. Upon arrival, officers observed an individual carrying what appeared to be a firearm.

Shots Fired and Officer Injured

As officers attempted to engage with the individual, an unknown number of suspects opened fire. At least one bullet struck an officer in the neck. The injured officer was immediately flown to a Fort Worth hospital, where they received treatment and were later released.

Suspects Apprehended

Several armed suspects were apprehended after attempting to flee the scene. Local agencies, including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in the arrest. At this time, police have not released the names of the suspects, and an investigation into the motive for the attack is ongoing.

FBI and Law Enforcement Investigate Potential Coordination

A federal law enforcement source told CBS News that at least eight people had been arrested in connection with the shooting. Some of those taken into custody were reportedly wearing body armor. According to the source, more than a dozen masked individuals, dressed in black, had arrived at the Prairieland ICE detention facility late Friday night, where they vandalized vehicles and security cameras in the parking lot.

The suspects also set off fireworks in what appeared to be an effort to lure law enforcement officers to the scene.

FBI and DOJ Response

When contacted, the FBI declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. However, a source within the Justice Department confirmed that the agency was closely monitoring the situation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a social media post on Saturday:

“We are closely monitoring the attacks on DHS detention facilities in Prairieland, TX, and Portland, OR, and are coordinating with our law enforcement partners. The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible.”

The reference to Portland, OR, appears to allude to a separate incident in mid-June, when three individuals were arrested outside an ICE facility after clashing with law enforcement.

Call for Information

Alvarado police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at 817-790-0919.

The situation remains under investigation as authorities piece together the events leading up to the shooting and the subsequent arrests.