Governor Greg Abbott made a public announcement concerning a manhunt for an individual allegedly linked to a violent incident on Independence Day. One Benjamin Hanil Song is now subject to a reward offering of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. Song is accused of orchestrating an attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, which led to the shooting and wounding of a local police officer, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Abbott's comments were direct, stressing the need for accountability and swift justice, "The targeted attacks against our federal law enforcement officers is a crime and must end," he said. "Criminals such as Benjamin Hanil Song will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." The governor urges those with any potentially helpful information to reach out through the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or via an online tip submission, assuring Texans that the state maintains its stance on being a "law-and-order state," as stated by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Detailed in the Office of the Texas Governor announcement, a series of warrants for Song’s arrest were issued out of Johnson County on charges including aiding terrorism, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public servant. The federal system too has laid its weight against Song, with warrants from the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, alleging attempted murder of a federal officer among other charges. Song, 32, an Asian male, roughly 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, should be considered armed and dangerous, described with brown eyes and black hair.
In a joint effort to capture Song, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has also put forth a reward, adding another $25,000 to the pot, which in total now sums up to $35,000 for information that brings him into custody. Tipsters are assured of their anonymity by law and will be given a tip number instead of using a name to maintain their confidentiality. Fugitives like Song present a threat and civilians are advised against trying, to apprehend them. Moreover, individuals coming forward with tips have a variety of methods at their disposal including a call to the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or an online tip through the offender's catalog website, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
The case has clearly garnered significant attention from both state and federal law enforcement entities, reflecting the severity of the alleged crimes and the inherent risks posed to public servants. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward, as the collaborative reward fund serves as an incentive for those perhaps hesitant to get involved. All the reported details can be found in the official statement from the Office of the Texas Governor.
