DALLAS (AP) — Two individuals arrested in a shooting outside an immigration detention center in Texas have been hit with new federal charges following a recent order by President Trump designating a movement labeled Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Autumn Hill and Zachary Evetts were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth. The charges against them include providing material support to terrorists and attempts to murder officials of the U.S. government. Prosecutors allege that both individuals are members of an Antifa cell that plotted the shooting.
Hill and Evetts are already among 11 people facing attempted murder charges related to the July 4 incident, which occurred outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, southwest of Dallas, where a police officer was injured. Following their indictment, Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled Antifa a 'left-wing terrorist organization' and stated the two would be prosecuted as such.
The attack reportedly started when a masked group, some armed and in body armor, shot fireworks at the center, vandalized vehicles, and yelled commands before opening fire on responding officers. Evidence shows the group arrived with 10 firearms. Defense attorneys for both Hill and Evetts have expressed skepticism over the charges, suggesting that the government’s claims lack solid evidence and may be a legislative response to heightened political tensions.
The indictment reveals that anti-government materials were discovered during searches related to the attack, though documents pertaining to Antifa were not specifically mentioned. As a domestic entity, Antifa doesn’t appear on the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations, highlighting the complexities of labeling groups involved in U.S. protests.
The shooting incident occurred as the Trump administration intensified deportation efforts, with other violent events reported shortly afterward across the country.
Hill and Evetts are already among 11 people facing attempted murder charges related to the July 4 incident, which occurred outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, southwest of Dallas, where a police officer was injured. Following their indictment, Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled Antifa a 'left-wing terrorist organization' and stated the two would be prosecuted as such.
The attack reportedly started when a masked group, some armed and in body armor, shot fireworks at the center, vandalized vehicles, and yelled commands before opening fire on responding officers. Evidence shows the group arrived with 10 firearms. Defense attorneys for both Hill and Evetts have expressed skepticism over the charges, suggesting that the government’s claims lack solid evidence and may be a legislative response to heightened political tensions.
The indictment reveals that anti-government materials were discovered during searches related to the attack, though documents pertaining to Antifa were not specifically mentioned. As a domestic entity, Antifa doesn’t appear on the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations, highlighting the complexities of labeling groups involved in U.S. protests.
The shooting incident occurred as the Trump administration intensified deportation efforts, with other violent events reported shortly afterward across the country.
