In a stunning development, Benjamin Song, a 32-year-old former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, was captured by the FBI in Texas on Tuesday evening, linked to a violent Independence Day riot at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado. Song faces serious charges, including attempted murder of federal officers and firearms crimes, following an intense manhunt that saw a $25,000 reward offered for his arrest. A local police officer, shot in the neck during the incident, is recovering, while 11 others also face charges related to the chaos.

Unearthed social media posts, believed to belong to Song under the handle 'BubbleBreakBS,' reveal a disturbing shift in ideology over the years. Once a member of the College Republicans at the University of Texas at Arlington, Song’s online rhetoric has morphed into a barrage of anti-police, anti-Trump, and anti-Israel sentiments. Posts from as early as 2020 show him mocking political figures across the spectrum, from calling Trump 'stupid as hell' to labeling Biden a 'racist' and 'corrupt puppet.' His vitriol extends to broader societal structures, with statements like 'Abolish the police' and equating Israel to an 'apartheid colony committing genocide.'

Song’s activism isn’t new. At 26, he traveled to Hong Kong to support the Free Hong Kong Movement, describing himself as moved by their fight for freedom. His posts also tie him to various activist groups, including potential links to the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club, a left-wing gun group, though details remain murky. Additional records suggest Song used a martial arts studio in Arlington, run by his mother, for tactical training videos, raising questions about the intersections of personal and radical pursuits.

This arrest comes amid a shocking 830% increase in assaults on ICE agents, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the rising violence against law enforcement, urging politicians to take a stand. Meanwhile, FBI Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock praised the collaborative effort to apprehend Song, who is now held on a $15 million bond at Johnson County Jail, facing a slew of charges including aggravated assault and aiding terrorism.

As this case unfolds, it paints a complex picture of a man whose journey from conservative roots to radical extremism mirrors broader societal tensions. Song, presumed innocent until proven guilty, stands at the center of a firestorm that challenges us to confront the volatile mix of ideology and violence in today’s America.

Extremism News

FBI Captures Benjamin Song: Anti-ICE Suspect’s Radical Views Exposed in Texas Riot Case