Nine defendants were convicted on charges related to a July 4th, 2025, shooting of a police officer that occurred during a protest outside the Praireland, TX immigration detention center. On March 27th, 2026, all nine defendants filed motions to overturn the jury's verdicts and request a new trial.
Prosecutors allege the shooting was a planned ambush on the ICE detention center and allege that the defendants were motivated by “antifa” beliefs. The defendants and their attorneys have clearly stated that the action at the detention center was meant to be a noise demonstration with fireworks in support of the immigrants being held inside the detention center. The defendants were convicted of a range of charges including rioting, providing material support to domestic terrorists, using explosives and concealing documents. The convictions are a disturbing landmark in a case where prosecutors seem to be testing out the legal strength of the administration’s policy memo meant to target “domestic terrorism.”
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman will review the motions filed by the defendants regarding the underlying convictions.