A gunman opened fire on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas on Wednesday, killing one detainee and critically wounding two others in what federal authorities are investigating as an ideologically motivated act of targeted violence. The shooter, who fired indiscriminately from a nearby rooftop, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound .
The Attack
The incident began around 6:40 a.m. local time when the shooter, positioned on the roof of an adjacent building, rained gunfire down onto the ICE facility . The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the gunman targeted the building's sallyport, a secure entryway where a van carrying detainees was located . The three victims were detainees being processed at the facility; no law enforcement officers were injured . Following a chaotic lockdown, one detainee was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the two others were transported to a hospital in critical condition . The DHS later corrected an initial report, confirming the death toll as one .
An Ideological Motive?
Key evidence pointing to a motive was recovered near the shooter. FBI Director Kash Patel posted an image on social media showing unspent bullet casings, one of which had "ANTI-ICE" written on it in blue ink . Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock of the FBI's Dallas field office confirmed the shooting was being investigated as "an act of targeted violence," with early evidence suggesting an anti-ICE motive . Law enforcement sources identified the shooter as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn .
Blame
The shooting ignited immediate political fallout. Senior Trump administration officials placed blame on critics of the agency. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called it a "vile attack... motivated by hatred for ICE" and a consequence of "rhetoric" from politicians and the media . Vice President JD Vance stated the shooter was a "left-wing extremist" who was "politically motivated," while Senator Ted Cruz called for an end to language "demonizing ICE" . In contrast, Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson urged against politicizing the tragedy, emphasizing that "These are disturbed people committing awful acts" .
Rising Tensions
The attack occurs amidst heightened tensions surrounding ICE enforcement operations. Recent weeks have seen significant protests and clashes at ICE facilities, particularly in the Chicago area, where agents have used tear gas and pepper balls against demonstrators . This incident is also the third shooting this year at a Department of Homeland Security facility in Texas, following a July incident in Alvarado where a police officer was shot and an attack on a Border Patrol station in McAllen . The Dallas facility itself had been targeted just last month with a bomb threat .
Witness Accounts
Witnesses at the scene described a terrifying experience. Mayra, a migrant from Nicaragua who was inside for an appointment, recounted hearing about 20 gunshots and fearing for her daughter waiting outside . Another witness, Edwin Cardona, was entering the building with his son when the shooting started and was rushed to a secure area by agents . The shooting has instilled fear in immigrant communities, with one witness expressing that it creates danger "everywhere" for people regardless of their legal status .