DALLAS (AP) — Two individuals, Autumn Hill and Zachary Evetts, have been arrested and now face multiple charges, including providing material support to terrorists and attempting to kill U.S. government officials. The indictment is linked to a July shooting incident at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, which injured a police officer.
The indictment, announced on Wednesday, asserts that Hill and Evetts were part of an antifa cell implicated in the attack, which occurred during a confrontation over immigration enforcement policies. A group reportedly wearing black and carrying firearms fired shots and detonated fireworks near the facility.
The recent charges follow President Donald Trump’s classification of antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, further complicating the already charged political landscape. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a social media post that individuals connected to antifa will face serious repercussions.
Lawyers for both defendants contest the charges. Hill's attorney, Cody Cofer, argued that the indictment could provoke a mob mentality rather than adhere to the evidence, while Evetts' attorney expressed skepticism about the allegations.
Details surrounding the incident suggest that organizers of the protest were well-armed, indicating premeditation in their actions. The indictment mentioned that ten firearms were seized, along with materials that Vermont officials refer to as anti-government propaganda.
This shooting incident has further escalated conflicts over immigration in the U.S., culminating in increased law enforcement presence at critical facilities. It adds to a series of violent altercations that have marked public protests and political gatherings in recent years.
