safety
8 convicted of terrorism charges in Texas immigration center shooting sentenced to decades in prison
By Jamie Stengle And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
A demonstrator who shot and wounded a police officer during a protest outside a Texas immigration center last July 4 was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Tuesday, while other protesters accused of having links to antifa were given multiple decades in federal prison.Benjamin Song was convi...
Key takeaway A demonstrator who shot and wounded a police officer during a protest outside a Texas immigration center last July 4 was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Tuesday, while other protesters accused of having links to antifa were given multiple decades in federal prison.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The sentencing of eight individuals to decades in prison for their roles in a shooting at a Texas immigration detention center has significant implications for San Antonio 's own immigrant community and protest landscape. As a city with a large and diverse population, San Antonio has long been a hub for immigration advocacy and activism. The fact that the Justice Department has designated this case as the first sentencing of "defendants affiliated with" antifa, a far-left militant group, raises concerns about the potential chilling effect on free speech and protest rights in the city. San Antonio residents who participate in or organize protests, particularly those related to immigration issues, may be watching this case closely, wondering how it may impact their own ability to express themselves and advocate for social change. The city's own experiences with immigration and social justice movements will likely be influenced by the outcome of this case, and its residents will be looking for assurances that their rights to peaceful assembly and free speech will be protected.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A demonstrator who shot and wounded a police officer during a protest outside a Texas immigration center last July 4 was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Tuesday, while other protesters accused of having links to antifa were given multiple decades in federal prison.Benjamin Song was convi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jamie Stengle And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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