Alvarado, Texas – Court records unsealed on Monday, July 7, 2025, have revealed that two individuals charged in connection with a shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center on the late hours of July 4, 2025, had prior arrests related to protests. The incident, which occurred near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Alvarado, Texas, resulted in a correctional officer being shot.
Savanna Batten, 31, and Ines Soto are among the 11 people arrested following the Independence Day night shooting. While all 11 face various charges, the newly unsealed records shed light on Batten and Soto’s previous encounters with law enforcement during protest activities, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation into the violent confrontation.
Details of the Incident and Arrests
The shooting unfolded late Friday night outside the Prairieland Detention Center. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire originating from the vicinity of the facility. A correctional officer sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was subsequently transported for medical treatment. Acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office Director Josh Johnson later confirmed that the injured officer is expected to recover from the injury.
Following the incident, law enforcement officers apprehended 11 individuals. All 11 were transported to the Johnson County Jail as investigations commenced.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Ten of the individuals taken into custody in Johnson County face serious state charges stemming from the shooting. These charges include terrorism and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer. The severity of the alleged actions is reflected in the bond amounts set for these ten defendants, each requiring $10 million for release.
Among the 11 arrested, specifically identified individuals Hill, Evetts, and Elizabeth Soto are also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer causing serious bodily injury. This specific charge indicates the prosecution alleges these individuals used a deadly weapon against a peace officer, resulting in significant physical harm.
The unsealed court records from Monday, July 7, 2025, detailing the charges and some background information on the defendants, underscore the serious legal ramifications of the incident.
Background of the Charged Individuals
The most salient detail emerging from the recently unsealed court documents is the history of prior protest-related arrests for both Savanna Batten and Ines Soto. While the records do not specify the nature or locations of all these prior arrests, they do specifically note that Savanna Batten, age 31, had a previous arrest linked to an “Occupy Dallas” protest. The “Occupy” movement, which gained prominence in the early 2010s, involved various forms of protest against perceived social and economic inequality.
The revelation of these prior arrests raises questions about whether the events of July 4, 2025, were spontaneous or connected to organized activity, potentially related to opposition to immigration detention policies or other political stances. However, the court records themselves focus primarily on the charges related to the shooting incident rather than providing a motive for the violence.
Context of the Facility
The Prairieland Detention Center is a facility that houses individuals held in immigration custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Facilities such as this one are sometimes the sites of protests or demonstrations by groups advocating for immigration reform or against detention practices.
The shooting outside the facility has drawn attention to the security measures surrounding immigration detention centers and the potential for volatile confrontations during demonstrations.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not yet released a detailed narrative of how the shooting unfolded or what specific actions led to the charges of terrorism and aggravated assault against the 10 defendants. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The charges against Batten, Soto, Hill, Evetts, Elizabeth Soto, and the other defendants represent the state’s initial legal action following the incident. Further details are expected to emerge as the case proceeds through the court system. The high bond amounts indicate the gravity with which prosecutors view the alleged offenses.
The incident on July 4, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence in confrontations related to immigration policy and detention, particularly when individuals involved have prior histories of engaging in public demonstrations that have led to arrests.
