Nine defendants are on trial in connection with a July 4, 2025, shooting outside the ICE Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. Over the next several weeks, a federal jury is expected to review more than 200 pieces of evidence and hear from at least 50 witnesses, many of them law enforcement o fficers. Inside the federal courthouse in Fort Worth on Tuesday, Alvarado police Lt. Thomas Gross was the first witness to testify. Gross told jurors he was dispatched to the detention center on reports of someone attempting to enter the property. He described seeing a man dressed in what he called all-black tactical gear running from the property, as well as an armed person on the roadway. Gross said he gave commands to stop and drew his weapon, firing three times. During the incident, Gross was shot once. He testified that the bullet struck his shoulder and went through his neck. Benjamin Song is identified in court as the only suspected shooter. Still, Song and three others are charged with attempted murder of federal officers. Jurors also heard from Cindy Hart, a former sergeant at the Prairieland detention center. Hart testified she was working the night shift on July 4, 2025, and described surveillance video shown in court. When asked by federal prosecutors about outside security at the detention center, Hart said, “None. Nothing. No patrol. No, nothing because we were short-staffed.” Hart said she accompanied one of her officers after “noise” was reported in the parking lot. She described hearing several voices but said she could not see anyone. She testified someone shouted at her, “You should be proud of yourself,” for working at the detention facility. Hart said she told the group, “You’re on private property and need to leave.” During opening statements, prosecutors were given 30 minutes by the judge. Each defense attorney was given eight minutes. Several defense attorneys, including those representing Elisabeth Soto, Ines Soto, Marisela Rueda, Savannah Button and Zachary Evans, told jurors their clients left when instructed by an officer on the property. They said the evidence will show the nine defendants do not share responsibility and did not plan a violent attack. Some defense attorneys described their clients as participating in a “noise demonstration.” On July 4, that demonstration included firing fireworks. Federal prosecutors allege the defendants also aimed at the building. Jurors were told they will hear from the organizer of the protest. Prosecutors said evidence includes phone calls and encrypted text messages in private chats. Several defense attorneys argued their clients did not know Song brought a weapon or planned to fire it, and did not take part in planning before the protest. Because the defendants face different charges, some defense attorneys asked jurors to consider the case as a “trial within a trial.” The trial resumeson Wednesday morning. Before adjournment, the judge addressed the full courtroom, asking those in the gallery to consider making room for defendants’ family members and reminding them of the designated overflow room at the federal courthouse in Dallas. ...read more read less